Saturday, March 13, 2010 Previous editions
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
JOHN TERRY will be allowed to miss Chelsea’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Cardiff this weekend if he wants to try to patch up his marriage.
The Chelsea captain’s marriage is under threat after allegations he had an affair with the ex-partner of former team-mate Wayne Bridge.
Terry has recovered from the dead leg he collected in the victory over Arsenal on Sunday and will lead the Blues against Everton at Goodison Park tonight.
He is expected to leave for Dubai after the game to spend time with his wife Toni and coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Terry will be given time off should he ask for it.
"We have spoken and we will take the decision together after the Everton game to see if he needs to rest two days or if he wants to stay here and play against Cardiff," said Ancelotti. "He has not asked for any time off to see his wife. My preference is what he wants. I am totally supportive of him.
"We want to respect the FA Cup because it is an important trophy in this country so we will speak after the game against Everton and make the decision, the right one for us both. The FA Cup and John’s marriage are different; FA Cup is professional, the other thing is private."
On the pitch Ancelotti is hoping Chelsea’s defending will not be as sloppy as it was in their last meeting with Everton, a 3-3 draw.
"The Everton game at home was strange because we conceded three goals from set pieces, but we played very well," Ancelotti said. "Tomorrow will be a different game but we need to win. We need to maintain our position at the top of the league but it will not be easy.
"They are playing very well but lost their last game to Liverpool, so we have to pay attention.
"It could be an important night in the Premier League. We play Everton and Manchester United play Aston Villa.
"We want to win the league and we need to win away. We do not change our philosophy away from home."
Meanwhile, Ancelotti refused to be drawn into a war of words with Arsenal following their victory over the Gunners on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger yesterday moved to put the record straight after Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack told the Arsenal manager to stop looking for excuses in the wake of their 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
"I heard what Wenger said about our performance on the pitch but we did the same as Arsenal. We had a very good performance. Usually we are in control of the game with possession but it’s difficult to keep control of the game without possession, so tactically we did very well."
Wenger yesterday accused the media of twisting his post match comments – just as they had done after the draw at Aston Villa.
"I would just like to say that I was full of compliments and praise for Chelsea after the game and I find it completely unfair from the press that you take one word of my press conference to turn it in a kind of probe every time.
"You did that at Villa (where Martin O’Neill lambasted Wenger for criticising his team’s tactics), you did that at Chelsea and every time. If you look at the intent of my press conference it was positive towards the opponent.
"If you want, we can have a press conference and I can say nothing, don’t worry."
Wenger added: "I have to live with all the conclusions that Chelsea are a much better side, but I believe what I believe."
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