Chelsea coach Ten Cate admits Terry bust up

HENK TEN CATE admits he had a training ground argument with John Terry but insists he has “no problems” with the England captain.

The Chelsea coach’s disagreement with Terry happened the day before Chelsea’s Carling Cup final defeat against Tottenham but he claims it has been “blown out of all proportion”.

Chelsea have played down suggestions of a bust-up between the pair who were reported to have been pulled apart by other players.

Ten Cate said: “This is all blown out of proportion. I have no problems with John Terry and he has none with me.”

While he admits the pair did have a heated discussion, the assistant first-team coach is adamant it has been greatly exaggerated and is part of football.

He continued: “We are both emotional guys, but we do respect each other fully.

“On Saturday the distance between me and him was nowhere less than five metres. So that we were with our heads against each other, as they wrote, is total nonsense.”

The Dutchman revealed the argument came about because of rising tension before the game with Terry wanting to train harder — something with which Ten Cate did not agree.

“At Chelsea we have a group of 27 players and three goalkeepers. Half of them were allowed to go to the final so you understand that things went sharp.

“John found that we should train even more fanatically, I didn’t agree on that with my eyes on the final. We had an argument about that. That is all.”

Meanwhile, West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green reckons Chelsea will not fancy coming to Upton Park this weekend — where the Hammers are determined to dent the Blues’ hopes of getting back into the Barclays Premier League title race.

Chelsea may now have a match in hand on the top two, but nevertheless trail leaders Arsenal by nine points and are six behind Manchester United.

Defeat at Upton Park would heap added pressure on the Blues to get results when they face both the Gunners and United later in the campaign.

Green believes Chelsea would have rather play anyone but the Hammers, who have turned over both the Red Devils and Liverpool at home this season — and remain in the hunt for a UEFA Cup place themselves.

“In true West Ham style it seems to be the games where we excel,” said the former Norwich goalkeeper.

“Chelsea had a big game on Sunday and they have a big [Champions League] game on the Wednesday after our game and you know they won’t be looking forward to coming to Upton Park. I don’t think anyone ever does really.

“Between ourselves and the fans we can make it as intimidating as possible and really get stuck into them.”