Ancelotti: Terry talk just doesn’t interest me
Terry looks set to regain the armband Capello took from him a year ago following allegations of an affair with the ex-girlfriend of then international team-mate Wayne Bridge.
England manager Capello revealed yesterday he planned to meet Rio Ferdinand to discuss the prospect of relieving the injured Manchester United defender of the captaincy he inherited in the wake of the Terry scandal.
Chelsea boss Ancelotti, who did not follow Capello’s lead by stripping Terry of the Chelsea captaincy, has repeatedly claimed he is not interested in what his players get up to in their spare time. It is something he has been forced to reiterate on numerous occasions when they have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.
Asked yesterday if he felt Terry had learnt his lesson from last year’s events, Ancelotti said: “I don’t know. I’m not interested in this.
“I’m just interested in seeing him train well and play fantastic football at this moment. That’s all.”
Ancelotti was tight-lipped about Terry’s likely reinstatement, revealing only his belief that the defender would be “happy” to lead his country again.
“I didn’t say anything when the England team took away his armband,” Ancelotti said.
“Obviously, this is the decision of the national team and he will be happy about this.”
The news about Terry completely overshadowed Chelsea’s press conference ahead of tonight’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Copenhagen.
The one big surprise came when Ancelotti revealed Fernando Torres was not a certain starter at Stamford Bridge as he confirmed he was planning to rest players ahead of Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Copenhagen, who Chelsea lead 2-0 after the first leg, appear tailor-made for Torres finally to end the goal drought he has endured since his £50m move from Liverpool, but Ancelotti said: “Maybe he’ll have a rest.”
There have been claims Torres is homesick but Ancelotti insisted: “This is not true. He’s happy to stay here.
“We’re happy that he’s here. He’s working very well and doesn’t have a problem.”
Ancelotti was also relaxed about his own future, amid rumours former Blues boss Jose Mourinho is eyeing up a return to England.
“I don’t have problems with my future,” he said. “I have another year of my contract and I want to stay here.”
But he was far from relaxed about suggestions Chelsea were guaranteed to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, saying: “We have to pay attention. Copenhagen are a good team with good organisation.”
That was certainly not the case three weeks ago when the Danish champions looked every inch a side playing their first competitive match since a three-month winter break.
Yet, despite the quality of the opposition, the win had a galvanising effect on a Chelsea team whose season was on the brink of unravelling but who have since beaten both Manchester United and Blackpool.
Admitting the Copenhagen victory was the “turning point” of his side’s stuttering season, Ancelotti said: “Copenhagen was an important match to move on.
“It gave us confidence, optimism, not just the result.”
Branislav Ivanovic is set to partner Terry at the heart of Chelsea’s defence tonight but could give way to Alex on Sunday after the centre-back trained with the first team at Cobham yesterday.
Alex, who has been out since November and was forced to undergo surgery on a knee injury, was badly missed during Chelsea’s worst run in the league for almost 15 years at the end of 2010.
He will boost Ancelotti’s defensive options, especially in the Champions League, for which new signing David Luiz is ineligible.
Ancelotti said: “Alex will not be involved (tonight), but he will be involved on Sunday.”
- Chelsea are set to sign Brazilian starlet Lucas Piazon when he turns 18.
The Blues will beat off competition from Juventus for the 17-year-old, currently playing for Brazil in the South American U17 Championship. He will move to Stamford Bridge in line with FIFA laws after Sao Paulo agreed to sell him to the Premier League champions. The fee is unclear but reports suggest it could be between £5m and £8m.
