Chelsea FC finally returned to winning ways after two consecutive losses when they thumped Maccabi Tel-Aviv 4-0 at Stamford Bridge. Manager Jose Mourinho praised the performance of youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek and also denied suggestions that John Terry was left out because of a rift between himself and his captain.
Chelsea FC have not had the best of starts to the new season. However, things finally came together in their opening Champions League tie against Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel-Aviv with the Londoners running out 4-0 victors on the night despite Eden Hazard missing a penalty.
Mourinho hails Loftus-Cheek performance
Mourinho made changes to the starting XI that lost at the weekend to Everton at Goodison Park. Chelsea FC academy graduate Ruben Loftus-Cheek got his first start of the new season after breaking through last year.
Praising the English U21 international’s performance, Mourinho was quoted as saying by ESPN FC:
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“He’s potentially a very good player, but we have to feed these young players and choose the right moment.”
Mourinho denies rumours of rift with captain Terry
Following Chelsea FCa s poor start to the season, rumors were beginning to emerge of a conflict between Mourinho and captain John Terry, after the latter was subbed at half-time in the Blues’ 3-0 defeat against Manchester City earlier in the season.
Terry was dropped from the Champions League game last night, leading BT Sports analyst Steven Gerrard to suggest that it might be due to the relationship between Terry and Mourinho souring.
“I’d definitely bring JT back.” Gerrard insists Terry’s return is a must for Saturday’s London derby. #UCL http://t.co/qEuGFIstBV
a BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) September 16, 2015
However Mourinho rubbished those claims, while maintaining that he is still close to the current LA Galaxy man.
“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.”
Chelsea’s Brazilian attacker Willian picked up a hamstring injury in the game and joins Pedro in missing the weekend’s London derby against Arsenal FC.