Terry plays down player power

Chelsea captain John Terry insists that player upheaval was not to blame for the sacking of the club’s former manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The Portuguese boss lost his job at Stamford Bridge one week ago, with relationships between him and established players including Terry and Frank Lampard reported to have been uneasy.

Terry has played down these rumours, claiming the players are not to blame and defending the club’s reputation.

“In all clubs, when players don’t play, there’s always misunderstandings and people upset about not being played,” Terry told Sky Sports.

“People have got this thing about the senior players at Chelsea having a massive influence – I can assure you that’s not the case, and it hasn’t been since I’ve been at the football club.”

“Andre was very good but unfortunately we didn’t get the results and it falls on his head. The manager and players all make mistakes together.

“We all wish him well, he’s got a very good future, he’s very young as well. It’s going to be a learning experience for him.”

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who scored in his side’s 1-0 Premier League win over Sunderland on Saturday, believes Villas-Boas let down by the club’s players.

“These things happen and no matter what happened I think we have to give him (Villas-Boas) credit,” Drogba said. “It cannot work for all of them.”

“He was unlucky, the team was not in good shape. I think we, as players, could have done maybe better to change that, to avoid this happening. But that’s life.”

“We support him. He’s a friend and he’s always going to be a friend.”