FIFA Updates

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that he made the right decision in allowing John Terry to continue as Blues skipper.

Tabloid evelations of an alleged affair with England team-mate Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend led to England manager Fabio Capello stripping the centre-back of the captaincy of the Three Lions, but Ancelotti sees no reason to follow suit at Stamford Bridge.

“(Terry) has maintained the captaincy because it’s not my role to monitor the private life of my players, unless this affects their performances,” the Italian explained to La Repubblica.

“For myself and for the club, he is a great captain, a serious professional, a leader and a player who has great closeness to this club, because he grew up in the Chelsea academy.

“I guarantee that it has not affected the team in the least. We will prepare well for the Champions League.”

Meanwhile, Ancelotti does not foresee a future for himself as coach of the Italian national team, despite rumours.

“I will not be there once Lippi leaves,” he explained. “I have a contract with Chelsea. I will be a candidate in 2030 when Italy will win the World Cup.

“I have studied the stats and after the second World War, we have won the World Cup title every 24 years and reached the final every 12 years.

“Hence, the 2018 final I leave it to someone else.

“Besides, before I leave Chelsea I would like to win the FA Cup, the Premier League and obviously, the Champions League.

“I am in no hurry [to leave]. There is a lot of competition here.”