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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has dismissed Steven Gerrard’s claim about an existing rift between him and club captain John Terry, ESPN reports. Former Liverpool captain believes that the manager’s decision to bench his captain in the Champions League opener and in recent games has contributed to the club’s poor start to the season.
The Blues’ title defence has begun in miserable fashion as they have gone on to acquire only four points from five Premier League fixtures. This was not expected of Chelsea despite their Community Shield defeat to cross-town rivals Arsenal before the start of the new campaign. Nonetheless, it has added enormous pressure to the Portuguese tactician who is believed to turn the club’s fortunes around soon.
Despite their struggle in the domestic league, the reigning English Champions capped off an impressive victory in their Champions League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv with a 4-0 win at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of Willian, Oscar, Costa and Fabregas’ goals.
Former Liverpool skipper Gerrard, has criticised the West London outfit’s underwhelming performances in recent games and had said that the poor start appeared to be in part down to issues with club captain Terry, who was benched for the Champions League match.
"There's certainly a bit of friction behind the scenes because for me, you play John Terry week in, week out," Gerrard said.
"He's your captain. He's such an important figure in the dressing room and if Chelsea want to be successful this season, they need him in there.”
"Chelsea were champions three months ago, they were the best team in the league, the PFA player of the year in Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas was on fire.”
"Something's clearly happening behind the scene that we're not clued up on. You can't have that many problems in an 11 so quickly."
Mourinho, who has been a long-term admirer of Gerrard dismissed the claim of his existing rift with Terry
The Portuguese manager said: "Steven is wrong. I have a very good relationship with him. Sometimes we contact by SMS [text message]. But he's wrong, because we have no problems."
Shocking and disappointing display by English teams in Europe
It has been a disappointing week for the all the English clubs participating in this season’s Champions League by suffering shocking defeats to other clubs around Europe. However, Chelsea on the other hand, despite all their domestic trouble, they were the only English team to start the competition with a win.
"It's bad news for English football," Mourinho said.
"I'm not happy with that. I want Man City, Man United and Arsenal to lose in the Premier League, not in the Champions League."
The Gunners visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the Premier League and Mourinho will be happier to prepare after a win.
"For all of us to wake up [on Thursday] after a defeat, to go to Cobham again, to train again after a defeat, two days before a derby against Arsenal, I could imagine how difficult it would be for everyone," he added.
Chelsea’s impressive win against the Israeli champions will definitely be a confident booster as they prepare to host London derby against their cross-town rivals Arsenal on Saturday. Mourinho will be desperate to pick up a win against the Gunners and go back to their winning ways.
