Chelsea boss Di Matteo: I swear John Terry will be OK
Posted Saturday, September 29, 2012 by The Sun
IN CHARGE ... Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo
CHELSEA boss Roberto Di Matteo insists John Terry will be totally focused on today’s clash at Arsenal.
Terry has been banned for four games and fined £220,000 by the FA for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.
But Di Matteo is convinced the Chelsea skipper will only have his mind on getting three points this lunchtime.
The Blues chief said: “John has all the experience in the world to deal with the big game we are playing.
“He likes to focus on the football, that’s all I have to be concerned about.”
Terry was only sub for the win against Stoke last week but is expected to be recalled today and will keep the captaincy should he start.
Di Matteo added: “I’ve spoken to him as I do on a regular basis with my players. I’m not going to tell you my team, but he’s available.
“He’s an experienced player who has played many games before in difficult circumstances and environments. If selected, I don’t think there will be a problem.
“All I can judge is his professionalism when he’s here at the club. That’s spot-on. He’s always one of the first in. He works hard and has been a wonderful servant for this club professionally.
“He’s certainly shown over the years he puts his body on the line for the club and the team.”
Chelsea would not discuss the FA decision yesterday, saying they would wait until any possible appeal by Terry before commenting.
The club have a policy of banning fans who use racist language and will not say either way what could happen to Terry at the moment.
But asked if he believed in giving people second chances, Di Matteo replied: “Yes I do.”
In fact, Di Matteo could use the case to get his Premier League leaders even more fired up.
He added: “The spirit in the camp is good.
“We don’t really care too much the way the outside environment sees us. We have to focus on our strength and that’s the way we operate.
“That’s how I see it, how I feel it. I cannot influence what other people’s opinion is. We can only influence the way we play or the way we behave.
“We have to set good standards and try to set good standards.
“But, at the end of the day, we won’t be liked by our opposition’s fans and that, generally speaking, goes for everybody.
“So we cannot waste too much energy worrying about what they’re thinking.
“We have to think about ourselves and try to win games for the club.”
Di Matteo knows his side face a real test today against an Arsenal outfit who are going well despite losing Robin van Persie to Manchester United.
The Gunners are fifth and — like Chelsea — undefeated.
Di Matteo added: “I said at the start of the season Arsenal would be challenging for the league.
“I’m not sure anyone believed me, but that’s the way I saw it and I haven’t changed my mind. They have signed some very good, interesting players.
“But I don’t think they are playing differently.
“The personnel has changed, but the philosophy hasn’t changed.
“Arsene Wenger has done a fantastic job.”
Photos
More»
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea
Wednesday April 24 2024
Marcos Llorente’s wife wows in barely there swimsuit
Wednesday April 24 2024
Your Say