No Chelsea discontent, insists Terry
Chelsea defender John Terry is happy to be playing in a team in which competition for places is so fierce.
Fellow centre-half Ricardo Carvalho this week apologised to manager Jose Mourinho after voicing his disapproval at the decision to drop him for the Barclays Premiership opener at Wigan.
Dutch winger Arjen Robben has also claimed that constant changing of the team is bad for “a player's self-confidence”.
But Terry believes the situation is a healthy one and claims stories of discontent are being spread by people who want to see the champions unsettled.
Terry told BBC Radio Five Live: “Because we have done so well, we are the team to upset. I think that is what everybody wants, to try to unsettle us a little bit. I think it is great, the opportunity we have at the club. With so many players, it is great competition.
“Training every day is fantastic and that improves you. You know if you aren’t playing well somebody as good as you can come and replace you.
“But if you play one bad game I know the manager is not going to drop you like that. He realises what you can do and you can’t play well all the time, he realises that.
“Obviously if you’re playing badly for two or three games you’re going to be out of the side and it’s down to you to impress the manager and get back in the team.
“Once you get the shirt it is down to you to keep hold of it and that means playing well. That’s the same in every team, not only Chelsea.”
Competition for places increased further this week with the signing of Ghana midfielder Michael Essien for a club record £24.4million.
Of his new team-mate, Terry added: “He does seem a great player and I am sure he is going to be worth every penny. He looks very strong and seems a great lad as well.
“He’s settled in well over the last few days and we’re looking forward to him joining in.”
Terry was a member of the England side much criticised after their 4-1 hammering by Denmark in Wednesday’s friendly in Copenhagen.
England have been accused of lacking passion but Terry insists the players do not lack pride or determination in playing international football.
He said: “Playing for your country is something a lot of us have dreamed of. Every time we get that opportunity to put the three lions on we guarantee to give 110%."
“If we go out there and lose, then you always know with England the one thing you get is 110%.
“There is one way for us to answer the critics and that is to go and win the next two games and get maximum points.”
Terry has also backed much-maligned goalkeeper David James to bounce back.
He added: “Hopefully he will be back in the next squad because the lads think he is a great keeper and are looking forward to seeing him back in the side.”
