Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has denied reports of a training ground bust-up with the players and insisted the atmosphere ‘is very good’ but many believe that there’s no smoke without fire, especially as this is the second time in two weeks that there has been rumours of him clashing with one or more of his stars.
It was said that John Terry and other senior players expressed a disagreement with the Spaniard when he read them the riot act after the lose against Manchester City at the weekend. The last time it was reported that he clashed with Terry there was flat out denial from all parties (even before the question was asked on some occasions) but this time Benitez passed it off as a normal meeting.
When asked about his relationship with the players at Chelsea, he responded:
“It is fantastic. I have no problem.”
“This was a normal meeting between players and technical staff, which happens after every game, it was normal talk, nothing else. You show your disappointment, that is normal.
“I can understand the frustrations of Terry, he is an important player for us and has been injured with his knee.
“It was very brief exchange of ideas, and that is it, nothing else. It is just a team talk after a defeat.
“We had a meeting on the pitch with my players and technical staff, which is part of our business. Now we have to move on and start thinking about Middlesbrough.”
The story has been the source of much debate between fans as many argue that it is yet another nail in Benitez’s coffin as he hasn’t got the backing of the dressing room, but we all know he isn’t the right man and we all know that he won’t be around after the end of the season, so why can’t the players concentrate on their job for now?
Another topic that has been highlighted is that it’s another representation of ‘player power’ which has been a term used all too often in the context of Chelsea football club and hints at a long term issue which is far bigger than Benitez.
What do you must of the ‘bust-up’ talk?
