‘Rafatation’ fine by me, insists skipper Terry

Chelsea captain John Terry is unequivocal in his support for Rafael Benitez’s rotation system if it propels the Blues back into the Champions League — but the defender insists he is ready, willing and able to play up to three times a week if required.

The 32-year-old defender scored twice in Wednesday’s 3-0 Barclays Premier League win at Fulham which saw last season’s Champions League winners climb above Arsenal and move into pole position for the third automatic qualifying spot for next year’s tournament.

Terry, an unused substitute in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City, said: “I accept the rotation system completely. I can definitely play twice a week, three games a week if need be.

“I’m fit, I’m training every day and have done for the last three months.

“I just want to set the record straight: I’m available, but at the same time, if the manager chooses not to pick me and decides to go with the others, that’s not a problem.”

In a season disrupted by a knee injury, Terry has made just 11 Premier League appearances.

Since returning from the problem sustained against Liverpool in November in January’s win at Stoke, Terry has made 11 starts, two substitute appearances and been left unused on the bench on 11 occasions.

One of those was at Wembley on Sunday, which came as a surprise in some quarters, even though Terry had played 90 minutes in Moscow three days earlier.

“I’ve not got a problem with the manager choosing other players in front of me,” added Terry, who saw David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic preferred in the centre of defence.

“If he (Benitez) decides that’s his favourite pair, so be it. It’s down to me to work hard and maybe prove him wrong.”

Who will be in charge of Chelsea next season is another burning issue at the Bridge. Reports today put Manuel Pellegrini climbing in the odds to replace Benitez, with the Chilean having impressed at Malaga. Pellegrini still remains second favourite for the job, though, with Jose Mourinho the overriding favourite.

While Benitez is a figure reviled by many of the Blues faithful, Terry openly admits his admiration and respect for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, a former youth coach at Chelsea.

“I know Brendan very well,” Terry said.

“He’s a great manager and was brilliant for myself and the other players. I can only speak highly of him.”

Chelsea play Liverpool, Swansea, Manchester United, Spurs, Aston Villa and Everton in their remaining six games of the season. “It is a tough run-in,” added Terry, whose side also play Basle in the two-legged Europa League semi-finals.

“We’ve got four games in about 10 days or something, which is ludicrous.

“We’ve got the squad, the manager’s rotating and everyone’s playing a part.”