History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

TERRY: WE MUST NOT CHANGE ROONEY

England captain John Terry has backed Wayne Rooney to use his passion for football and his country to help England have a successful week at Wembley.

Ahead of England's friendly at Wembley against Slovakia the centre-back, who is due to make his 50th appearance for the Three Lions on Saturday, backed the Manchester United striker to channel his aggression on the pitch.

The 28-year-old said: "Some players are born like that; with that passion and fire inside their belly. Wayne has certainly got that. I think if we try and take that away he won't be the player he is. He is world-class - let's let him get on with his football and let his football do the talking.

"He is still young, he is still learning - but what a player he is! Wayne knows his limits. We have seen him calm down over the years - he has grown up. He is playing well for Manchester United and England and that is the main thing we want.

"The key is to keep him fit, keep him well and keep him on the ball. If you get Wayne Rooney on the ball he can create all sorts. He scores goals and brings people in to play. If you keep him fit England have a great chance."

On the game on Saturday evening, which is due to attract a sell-out Wembley crowd, Terry added: "It has been a long time coming, but I'm delighted to hopefully getting my 50th cap for England. I have my family coming, so I am very much looking forward to it.

"We will go out fully-focused. We are playing well at the moment, but we had a little bit of a shock in our last game, against Spain (when England lost 2-0) - but that was an eye-opener and we can learn from that. We are looking to improve things at home in front of our home fans.

"The manager (Fabio Capello) does not treat friendlies lightly and neither will the players - we will going out there to win. They are top of their World Cup qualifying group and are going well. It is going to be a tough test. We can learn a lot about this game and take it in to Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine."

Labels: England, John Terry, Slovakia, Spain, World Cup 2010

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:49 pm | Permalink | Comments

PROUD TERRY RETAINS ENGLAND CAPTAINCY

John Terry has been named by Head Coach Fabio Capello as permanent captain of England, retaining the role he was first selected for in Steve McClaren's first match in charge of the country, two years ago to the month.

The 27-year-old Chelsea defender, capped 44 times and who has led England in 14 games already, had been widely tipped to retain the captaincy, but faced strong competition from Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who was named vice-captain.

"I was shocked," said Terry when he was told by the Italian, who had used four temporary captains since taking charge at the beginning of the year, that he would retain the armband. "I had heard little whispers that Rio had got it. He has been in awesome form on the pitch.

"It means the world to me to retain the captaincy - it makes me very proud and is extra special this time. I have 14 games experience as captain and now my target is to help England qualify for the World Cup [in South Africa in 2010]."

England will face Croatia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra in Group Six of the qualifying pools. On Wednesday they host Czech Republic in a friendly before travelling to Andorra early next month to begin their campaign to South Africa.

"I will give everything," continued Terry. "We need to concentrate on qualifying. It is our sole target after the disappointment [of not advancing to the European Championship Finals this summer].

"I have shown what I can do on and off the pitch. Messers Capello, [José] Mourinho and [Luiz Felipe] Scolari have seen something special in me."

Coach Capello hinted that it had been Terry's strong character that had won him the captaincy over Ferdinand. "When Rio was captain in a friendly he played very well. It was very hard to choose.

"John has a big personality - that's why I chose John [over Ferdinand]. Rio is very important to the team - he will be vice-captain.

"John will be the driver of the team. For the national team it is a very important season. We have to play every game like a final. I know the players better now - we have played four friendlies."

Labels: Chelsea, England, Fabio Capello, football, John Terry

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:56 pm | Permalink | Comments

SCOLARI HOPING TO FIRE UP ANELKA

Luiz Felipe Scolari is hopeful that he can turn shy Nicolas Anelka into a goal machine for Chelsea. The Brazilian manager, who takes charge of his first game for the Blues on Sunday against Portsmouth, will make Anelka his main striker in the absence of injured Didier Drogba.

The French international, who has been in fine goal-scoring form in pre-season, cost £12m when he signed from Bolton in January, but he only scored twice in 24 appearances as the Blues came second in the Premier League and lost out in the Champions League and Carling Cup finals. But Scolari is hopeful that, with some confidence, the 29-year-old can fire Chelsea to glory.

"Maybe this is the season for Anelka," said the 59-year-old former Portgual manager. "He will be our centre-forward against Portsmouth. He has played well in the friendlies, has shown good speed and has switched position very well.

"But sometimes he is a different player - he is quiet and timid. And we need to put fire in Anelka. We need to tell him that he is very good and that he should go and try. I need to work more with him to get the best out of him. I need to help him in the head, because he has some good qualities."

Scolari, who managed his native Brazil to World Cup success in 1994, also believes that Chelsea centre-back John Terry, who led England in 14 games under Steve McClaren, should be given the nod to captain Fabio Capello's national team. The Italian is due to name his permanent skipper on Tuesday, the day before England's friendly with the Czech Republic.

"[If he were to select Terry as captain,] I would say to my friend Capello: 'Very good choice'," Scolari continued. "It would be a fantastic choice if he made John Terry captain. He is a captain for Chelsea and I think he must again captain England. He helps the manager and the players by saying the right things on and off the field."

Labels: Chelsea, John Terry, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Nicolas Anelka, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:03 pm | Permalink | Comments

CHELSEA MANAGER TIGHT-LIPPED OVER CARLING CUP TEAM SELECTION

Chelsea manager Avram Grant is keeping John Terry and Frank Lampard in the dark over their roles in Sunday's Carling Cup Final against Tottenham at Wembley. Grant has a full squad to choose from and will not be drawn on whether club captain Terry or influential midfielder Lampard, both now fit after injuries, will start.

Lampard scored his 100th goal for the club in last weekend's FA Cup fifth round tie against Huddersfield.

But neither he nor Terry featured in their goalless midweek Champions League draw against Olympiakos.

Grant, speaking at his pre-match press conference said: "We have training [on Saturday] and then I will tell the players the team. I will tell the players before the media.

"We need big players and it is never an easy decision who to select. I don't believe rotation is the way, but sometimes you prefer other players.

"It's not an easy decision because Terry is a great captain, even when he is not playing. He is also a great defender but I think the other two did a great job until now. "Alex and [Ricardo] Carvalho were very good on Tuesday, and before his injury John Terry was excellent. This is a very hard decision.

"But this is my job. I need to take these decisions and I will take them. Players are not computers. You need to respect them, but need to take decisions that are good for the club.

"When you have big players in a team like Chelsea it is always not an easy decision, it was not easy on Tuesday."

Grant added: "It was not a good situation when Terry and Lampard were out injured. But this is my life.

"I like it and I can't do without the pressure. It will be the same in the next three months."

Labels: Avram Grant, Carling Cup, Chelsea, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Tottenham

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:47 pm | Permalink | Comments