Terry vows to ´give everything´ for England football

February 6, 2010

John Terry said Friday he would continue to “give everything” for his country after being stripped of the England captaincy following allegations he had an affair with a former teammate’s ex-partner.

In a brief statement after a meeting with England manager Fabio Capello, Terry, who is married and has two children, said: “I fully respect Fabio Capello’s decision.

“I will continue to give everything for England,” added the 29-year-old.

The woman at the centre of the allegations, Vanessa Perroncel, the French ex-girlfriend of England defender Wayne Bridge and mother of his three-year-old son, vowed she would not give her version of events to the media.

Perroncel, who appeared on Sky News television alongside publicist Max Clifford, shook her head and mouthed “oh my God” when she heard the news that Terry had been dropped as captain.

In a statement read by Clifford, Perroncel said: “In recent days I have been the centre of a great deal of press speculation and comment.

“The details of my friendship with John and his family have been the subject of intense and wholly unfair and untrue media speculation.

“As Max has already said, much of the material in the press is inaccurate.

“I now find myself subject to other unsubstantiated and false claims which have appeared in the papers over the past few days.

“This has only added to the pressure which my family and I have been under.”

The statement said the media “have sought to pore over my private life and that of my family, which is very upsetting.

“I have decided I do not want to speak publicly about the speculation since it only seems to add more fuel to the fire,” it added.

Perroncel, a lingerie model, said her son was her “main concern”.

“I do not believe speaking to newspapers or the media is in his interest or my own. I do not wish to add anything more to what I have said,” she added in the statement.

As the news of Capello’s decision on Terry was announced, Clifford said: “Vanessa would also like to add that she finds it very sad that John Terry has been dropped as England captain.”

Terry and Bridge were teammates at English Premier League giants Chelsea before Bridge was sold to Manchester City a year ago.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: allegations, captain. In, CHELSEA, England, england manager, fabio capello, few days, former teammate, friendship, fuel to the fire, God, john terry, lingerie model, london, manchester city, Max, Max Clifford, media speculation, news television, newspapers, pore, private life, publicist max clifford, sky news, Terry, Vanessa, vanessa perroncel, wayne bridge

Terry dropped as England captain

February 6, 2010

John Terry was Friday stripped of the England captaincy following reports of an extra-marital affair with the ex-girlfriend of international team-mate Wayne Bridge, the Football Association (FA) confirmed.

The move followed a meeting between Terry and England’s head coach, Fabio Capello, at FA headquarters at Wembley.

In a statement, Capello said: “After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.

“As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad.

“What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. John Terry was notified first.” Profile: John Terry

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: coach fabio capello, England, england captain, england squad, england team, ex girlfriend, extra marital affair, fabio capello, football association, head coach, john terry, John Terry LONDON, london, team mate, Terry, wayne bridge, Wembley

Ancelotti backs Terry as Chelsea held by Hull

February 3, 2010

Carlo Ancelotti has backed John Terry to come through his personal crisis and lead Chelsea to the title despite his side’s disappointing failure to overcome Hull City in a 1-1 draw at the KC Stadium.

Terry’s week of woe showed no signs of improving as he was subjected to abuse on Humberside on Tuesday evening.

And just to make matters worse he was booked before having to watch his side drop two crucial points against Phil Brown’s struggling team, blowing their chance to open up a four-point lead over Manchester United at the top of the table.

Terry had to run a gauntlet of hate from the home supporters that promises to become a regular event for the defender, but Ancelotti insists his captain can handle the flak and will carry on playing.

Terry will meet England manager Fabio Capello later this week to discuss his future as his country’s captain following reports of his affair with the former girlfriend of international team-mate Wayne Bridge.

But he has the backing of Ancelotti, even if the Italian admits he might give the centreback a family holiday later this month when Chelsea face Cardiff City in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti said: “Nothing can distract our concentration in this competition. In every game the Chelsea team has good focus and we can play good football.

“Concentration is always on top. This is an issue for me and John Terry. I think it’s not a problem. You can see the line-up against Cardiff.

“If he needs a holiday he will have one and if not, he will play against Cardiff.

“I don’t like to speak about this. It’s not a question I want to speak about.

“For him (Terry) nothing has changed. He continues to play a very good game and every game he’s living a good moment.

“He’s doing his best. The atmosphere in the team is the same. There has been no change.

“We are in a good position now. We are top. We know Manchester United are very good and it will be a long race until the end of the season.

“We are happy to have a two-point lead. This was an opportunity, but it’s impossible to win every game.”

Chelsea had to rely on Didier Drogba’s clinical free kick to salvage a point for the league leaders. It was his 20th goal of the season and cancelled out Stephen Mouyokolo’s opening goal for Hull, his first for the club.

Ancelotti praised the impact Drogba had on his return to the side following international duty at the African Cup of Nations and believes his form and fitness will be key as the season enters its final third.

Ancelotti added: “It’s an important moment for us, but we need to have all the players in good condition between now and the end of the season.”

Hull rode their luck at times with goalkeeper Boaz Myhill once again impressive but Brown is convinced this result can provide his side with the belief that they have what it takes to go on and avoid relegation for the second season in succession.

“Against the quality of the opposition, that performance is right up there. I’m just disappointed we can’t perform like this on a more regular basis,” said Brown.

HULL (AFP)

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Ancelotti may give Terry a break

February 3, 2010

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti may give skipper John Terry a holiday. The Blues boss might resort to giving Terry a break in order to deal with the much-publicized issues in his private life.

Terry’s affair with the ex-girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge has been put forth for the public eye, something which has led many to question Terry’s position as Chelsea and England captain.

England manager Fabio Capello is set to meet Terry on Thursday evening or Friday morning to address the situation. Meanwhile Ancelotti will allow his captain to miss the game against Cardiff on February 13 to spend Valentine’s Day with his wife.

Ancelotti said after Chelsea’s draw at Hull, “If he needs a holiday I will give him a holiday. If he doesn’t need a holiday then he will play against Cardiff.

“It is an issue for me and John Terry, it is not your problem I think.”

The Italian claims he has not spoken with Terry about the issue.

He said, “No. I have never had a discussion. I like to speak to my players (but) I don’t like to speak about this. It is not a question I want to speak about here.

“For him nothing has changed. He has played a very good game and every game he is leading very well. He is doing his best every game.

And Ancelotti has firmly denied that the saga had a negative effect on the morale of his squad.

“The atmosphere in the team is the same. No change.”

Ancelotti also vowed that the interest in Terry would not derail the Blues’ Premier League title bid, despite failing to take advantage of the game in hand at Hull.

“Nothing can disturb our concentration in this competition,” he said.

“I think that Chelsea are focused for every game.

“Sometimes we play good football and sometimes we have more difficulty but the concentration is always on top.”

Tags: captain England, cardiff, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, concentration, England, england captain, england manager, england team, fabio capello, friday morning, good game, HULL, john terry, premier league, private life, public eye, saga, skipper, Terry, valentine s day, wayne bridge

Mancini pleased as grief-stricken Adebayor scores

February 1, 2010

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was pleased with his side’s 2-0 win over Portsmouth at Eastlands on Sunday but admitted his side had been distinctly under-par in what was a poor encounter.

First-half goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Vincent Kompany secured the three points for City but there was precious little else to cheer about in a match that never really got off the ground.

Adebayor had not started for his club since returning home early from the African Cup of Nations last month following the terrifying gun assault on the Togo team bus in Cabinda that left two backroom staff dead.

However, he told City manager Roberto Mancini on Saturday that he felt mentally strong enough to start the match and rewarded his manager’s faith with a 40th minute opener while Kompany found a second with a header five minutes later.

Yet apart from those goals, City looked shapeless and tired and Mancini admitted that Wednesday’s night’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in the League Cup semi-final second leg match had taken a toll on his players.

“Today (Sunday) was an important victory but we did not play well. Physically we played strong and very very well (against United) and probably today we were a bit tired because of that.

“We started the game very slowly but it was important in the end that we win.”

Mancini was particularly pleased to see Adebayor scoring again after his comeback from that harrowing incident but Mancini still expects it to take time for him to fully recover and insists there is more to come from him.

“I’m happy for him because he scored a good goal and an important goal,” he added.

“I know that it was a difficult game for him today. I think he needs to train next week and today he played well but I think he can improve.”

As City’s players left the pitch after a second half that was even duller than the first, three players – Nigel de Jong, Carlos Tevez and Stephen Ireland sported t-shirts with the slogan ‘Team Bridge’ on them.

These were in support of injured teammate Wayne Bridge after recent revelations that Bridge’s former Chelsea teammate and best friend John Terry has allegedly been cheating on his wife with Bridge’s ex-girlfriend, French lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel.

“The players are very close to Wayne,” Mancini said.

“He is a fantastic player and a good guy. It was a nice gesture. Wayne is a fantastic man and a very, very good guy and I think the players are very,very close to him.”

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant refused to meet the media after the match with a Portsmouth official citing that he wanted to wait for the transfer window to close on Monday before making his thoughts known about life at Fratton Park.

However, all is certainly not well with the players again paid late this month along with chief executive Peter Storrie revealing earlier this week that his role was becoming increasingly untenable because he did not know Portsmouth were trying to sell Younes Kaboul and Asmir Begovic.

Aligned to that situation is the fact they remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the Premier League on 15 points but life is not all bad according to assistant manager Paul Groves, who claims the Pompey players are still doing their best despite the off-the-field situation.

“You saw from the way the lads played today in terms of spirit and togetherness that they get on and do the job,” he said.

“We are in it to win football matches and get points. If we can get back to back points we can put some pressure on the teams around us.”

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: african cup of nations, backroom staff, carlos tevez, CHELSEA, Eastlands, emmanuel adebayor, encounter, England, five minutes, Fratton Park, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, nigel de jong, paul groves, Peter Storrie, pitch, Portsmouth, premier league, returning home, roberto mancini, second half, slogan, Stephen Ireland, team bus, vanessa perroncel, victory, Vincent, Wayne, wayne bridge

Terry´s England captaincy questioned after ´affair´

January 30, 2010

John Terry’s future as England captain was called into question on Saturday when British newspapers responded to reports about his infidelity by demanding he be stripped of the role.

But despite the controversy surrounding his alleged extra-marital affair with the ex-girlfriend of a former Chelsea team-mate, the Premier League leaders insisted they had no qualms about selecting him to play against Burnley on Saturday.

“John has got his football head on,” Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins told ESPN shortly before kick-off at Turf Moor.

“He is a fantastic professional as far as the footballing side of his life is concerned,” former England midfielder Wilkins added.

“He has done so wonderfully well for us and he will play today with no problem whatsoever.”

Earlier, Terry briefly signed autographs as Chelsea left their team hotel but refused to comment about the allegations.

Terry, 29, who was voted Britain’s Dad of the Year last year in a sponsored survey, has two children with his wife Toni.

The central defender was named on Friday as the sportsman behind a gagging injunction involving his private life.

A judge at London’s High Court subsequently lifted the order and Saturday’s papers alleged Terry had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge, Vanessa Perroncel.

Bridge, in a statement issued through his lawyer, said Saturday: “I have read the press reporting in the last two days. The reports deal with matters which are of a deeply personal and private nature.

“My primary concern is the welfare of my son. Therefore, I intend to make no comment whatsoever either now or in the future about these reports and ask that my privacy is respected,” added Bridge, who now plays for Manchester City.

The Daily Telegraph’s chief football writer Henry Winter, a prominent member of the England press pack, led the calls for Terry to hand in the captain’s armband.

“I like Terry, the one natural leader in the England dressing room, a player so passionately committed to the cause of St George that he willingly endures jabs just to get his stiff back through games, but this really is an embarrassment too far. It’s time for him to stand down,” Winter wrote.

Bridge played with Terry for six years during his time at Chelsea before leaving to join Manchester City in January 2009.

The left-back is widely expected to be called into Fabio Capello’s squad for this year’s World Cup in South Africa as cover for Terry’s Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole.

Terry was named England captain by former England coach Steve McClaren in August 2006 and Capello confirmed he would continue in the role shortly after the Italian took charge in August 2008.

Vice-captain Rio Ferdinand and his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney have been touted as the favourites to replace Terry as skipper if Capello, a renowned disciplinarian, decides to strip him of the captaincy.

England begin their World Cup campaign against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.

LONDON (AFP)

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Terry could lose England role over affair

January 30, 2010

John Terry’s future as England captain was called into question on Saturday when British newspapers responded to reports about his infidelity by demanding for him to be stripped of the captaincy.

The centre-back, who also captains Chelsea, was named on Friday as the sportsman behind a gagging injunction involving his private life.

A judge at London’s High Court subsequently lifted the order and Saturday’s papers were full of accounts alleging that Terry had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge, Vanessa Perroncel.

The Daily Telegraph’s chief football writer Henry Winter, a prominent member of the England press pack, led the calls for Terry to hand in the captain’s armband.

His words were echoed by The Independent’s chief sports writer James Lawton, who said Terry’s misdemeanours would not be taken lightly by England coach Fabio Capello.

“Capello is the most strenuous of disciplinarians, a fanatic for professional rigour in all matters,” he said.

“Claims of carrying on an affair with a team-mate’s girlfriend is surely not Capello’s idea of the self-control and example and heightened sense of camaraderie implicit in the assignment.”

The Sun, the United Kingdom’s most popular daily, claimed that Bridge was so distraught by news of the affair that he was contemplating retiring from England duty.

“… Bridge told pals he did not even want to be picked for England’s next friendly match (against Egypt) in March,” read The Sun’s article on the affair.

“The Sun understands that not only is Terry’s betrayed best mate refusing to talk to the Three Lions skipper any more — but he is considering quitting international football entirely.”

Bridge played with Terry for six years during his time at Chelsea before leaving to join Manchester City in January 2009.

The left-back is widely expected to be called into Capello’s World Cup squad as cover for Terry’s Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole.

Speaking at the time of Bridge’s departure from Chelsea, Terry said: “He’ll be missed. It’s a shame to see one of the lads go who you have grown up with and been with for a long time.”

Terry was named England captain by former England coach Steve McClaren in August 2006 and Capello confirmed he would continue in the role shortly after the Italian took charge in August 2008.

Current vice-captain Rio Ferdinand and his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney have been touted as the favourites to replace Terry as skipper if Capello, a renowned disciplinarian, decides to strip him of the captaincy.

England begin their World Cup campaign against the United States in Rustenburg, South Africa on June 12.

LONDON (AFP)

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City urged to take Barca route to the top

December 16, 2009

Sylvinho believes that Manchester City can reach the top by copying the attitude of his former club Barcelona.

The Brazilian veteran made his first league start for City in the 3-3 draw with Bolton at the weekend, in place of injured England defender Wayne Bridge, and is set to continue in the side for Wednesday’s trip to Tottenham.

The left back, who used to play for Tottenham’s local rivals Arsenal, feels that replicating the attitude of his old team can help City achieve their lofty ambitions.

He said: “We can learn from the Barcelona way. They play the same way every game. They play the same against Chelsea as they do against a third or fourth division side in Spain.”

Wednesday’s encounter at White Hart Lane sees two teams with pretensions of the top four going head to head and will be seen as a key indicator on which has the best chance of making the leap into the Champions League.

Tottenham go into the game on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves, while City are unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions but have managed just 11 points from their last nine Premier League matches.

But Sylvinho insists progress is being made as manager Mark Hughes attempts to turn the massive investment of the club’s Abu Dhabi owners into success on the pitch.

“The club is moving in the right direction,” the defender said. “We are changing the mentality of a whole club, not just 25 players

“I was upset when Wayne was hurt because he is part of the future at City but I enjoyed the game at Bolton.

“I felt I had a good connection with Craig Bellamy and Robinho, and I am ready to play again at Tottenham if selected.

“Hopefully we will have more confidence to play in the opposition half; that is important.”

City will be without Bellamy, who was red-carded in the Bolton match, at Spurs due to suspension and Nigel de Jong could also miss out as he continues his recovery from swine flu, while Shaun Wright-Phillips is struggling with an ankle problem.

Harry Redknapp did his best to remain upbeat following the weekend home defeat to Wolves but no matter how often the Spurs manager insisted his side?s season would not stand or fall on one result, there was no denying that three crucial points had been dropped.

Spurs’ season started brightly and coming into the Wolves game, Redknapp declared himself delighted with his players? displays in the away draws at Aston Villa and Everton.

But as has happened on so many occasions in the past, Tottenham’s ambitions have been hit by inconsistency and that’s a problem the manager must overcome if they are to fulfil their aim of finishing in the top four.

Victory over City would quickly erase the gloom generated by the Wolves clash that ended with an unpleasant altercation between left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto and a home supporter that is now subject to a police investigation.

“It’s a big game on Wednesday,” admitted Redknapp. “You’ve got to move on, what’s happened has happened.”

Redknapp remains confident that, with all the top teams dropping unexpected points, his side will succeed in qualifying for Europe, although it remains to be seen in which competition.

“I’m not sure whether we’ll get into the Champions League or the Europa League but we’ll get into Europe,” he said. “I’ve never said we are guaranteed to get into the Champions League.

“I can’t take a team over that was bottom of the league when I took over and guarantee it’s going to be a Champions League team, but we still have a great chance.

“Chelsea lost at Wigan, Arsenal lost to somebody, Liverpool lose to teams they should beat, but what can you do. It?s going to be a lot more open at the top.”

Robbie Keane?s ineffective display against Wolves could mean a starting spot for Peter Crouch while Luka Modric is again expected to start on the bench after making his return from a broken leg at the weekend.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: abu dhabi, club barcelona, Harry Redknapp, lofty ambitions, manchester city, massive investment, mentality, moving in the right direction, nigel de jong, premier league, pretensions, Robinho, Shaun Wright-Phillips, spurs, swine flu, wayne bridge, white hart lane, wolves

De Jong set for return against Spurs

December 15, 2009

Nigel de Jong seems ready to make his comeback for Manchester City when they face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. Full-back Wayne Bridge is unlikely to face the Spurs, City said on the club’s official website.

De Jong suffered from swine flu the last few days which caused him to pull out of Saturday’s match at Bolton Wanderers (3-3).

On Monday, the Dutch international trained apart from the group in the gym but the last tests suggest that the midfield ace will be able to return to group training on Tuesday. On Wednesday, City will decide whether De Jong is fit enough to start in their away game with Tottenham.

Bridge will probably remain at the sidelines until next year. The England international damaged knee ligaments in the 2-1 win over his former club Chelsea and hopes to make his comeback in January. “I don’t want to push too hard too soon because knee ligament can ‘go’ very easily. I will make sure that I am strong first but I will push it as hard as I can to be back as fast as I can,” Bridge said.

Tags: Ace, bolton wanderers, CHELSEA, CITY, club chelsea, dutch international, England, england international, few days, flu, Hotspur, knee ligament, knee ligaments, manchester city, match, nigel de jong, sidelines, spurs, swine flu, wayne bridge

Rooney set for captain´s role in Brazil friendly

November 14, 2009

Wayne Rooney is poised to captain England for the first time in Saturday’s friendly against Brazil after an ankle injury left John Terry struggling to be fit to face the five-times world champions.

The injury forced Terry to skip his usual eve-of-match media duties and although it was Gareth Barry who stood in for him in front of the press, head coach Fabio Capello confirmed that Rooney would take the armband in the event of the regular captain failing to recover.

“If John Terry does not play, Wayne Rooney will be captain,” Capello said. “He is fit and I think he is ready to be captain.”

Capello’s faith in Rooney will come as a surprise to some given the forward’s impetuous streak, which was highlighted as recently as Sunday when he mouthed “12 men” into a television camera at the end of Manchester United’s defeat by Chelsea.

The implied slur on the integrity of match referee Martin Atkinson earned Rooney a rebuke from the Football Association but clearly has not caused Capello to question whether the Manchester United star is ready, at 24 and having recently become a father for the first time, for the responsibility associated with captaining his national side.

Capello maintained that England’s medical staff were confident that Terry would be able to play but, with his Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard having already flown home, it is highly unlikely that the slightest risk will be taken with the defender’s fitness.

“He has hurt his ankle and we need to check him but I think he will be okay,” Capello said. “But if he is not 100 percent fit, he will not play.”

If Terry is ruled out, Bolton’s Gary Cahill looks set to win his first cap alongside Matthew Upson in the centre of defence with Wes Brown and Wayne Bridge at right- and left-back respectively.

Barry and Rooney will be the only representatives of Capello’s first-choice line-up involved in a fixture that the Italian admits would have been daunting for even his strongest side.

“It is the same in Italy, Germany or England,” Capello said. “There is always a big respect for Brazil. They have won a lot of titles and they always play well. They have a different style and players with a big imagination.

“That’s why it is so important to play against Brazil. We can learn a lot from this match.”

Instead of seeing how his best team can match up to the world’s top-ranked nation, Capello will be able to see how some of his back-up players respond to playing under the unforgiving spotlight of a match against Brazil.

Lampard’s absence will give Michael Carrick an opportunity to restate his case for a central midfield starting role while James Milner and Shaun Wright-Phillips are expected to fill the wide positions.

Saturday evening could be particularly significant for the right winger Wright-Phillips, who currently has Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon and David Beckham ahead of him in the queue for places on the plane to South Africa.

Capello’s well-established reluctance to partner Rooney with Jermain Defoe means Darren Bent is likely to start up front.

In sharp contrast to the injury problems of England, Brazil are able to call on most of the players who put together a run of 11 straight wins before last month’s defeat by Bolivia in the thin air of La Paz, by which time they were already assured of topping the South American qualifying group for the finals.

Under the guidance of Dunga, captain of the 1994 World Cup winning side, Brazil have re-established themselves as the top-ranked nation in world football.

That has not spared him criticism from some of the most demanding fans on the planet that he has gone too far in sacrificing flair in pursuit of results.

But Lucas, the Liverpool midfielder, believes Dunga has got the balance right.

“Brazil have a lot of quality and skilful players but are also trying to defend well,” he said. “That is the key for any team and we will try to do that against England.

“Dunga has improved us a lot. He has tried to help all the players, we’re stronger tactically, he has improved everything.

“With Brazil, people expect you to play with skill and flair all the time but with Dunga we are looking to play as a team with everyone helping each other.”

DOHA (AFP)