Jose Mourinho forced to deny John Terry rift again

London: Jose Mourinho has been forced to defend his relationship with John Terry again after dropping the Chelsea captain for the team`s midweek Champions League tie.

Terry played every minute in the Premier League as Chelsea won the title last season, but the centre-back is by no means assured of his place against Arsenal on Saturday.

Terry was substituted at half-time in the 3-0 loss at Manchester City last month and was an unused substitute in Wednesday`s 4-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League.

LA Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard, Terry`s former England team-mate, suggested relations between Mourinho and the defender were strained.

But Blues boss Mourinho rubbished that claim after the Maccabi match and on Friday again made it clear he will do what is best for the team and Terry understands that as much as anyone else.

"Last season he played every minute but two seasons ago he didn`t and three seasons ago even less. So what`s the problem?" Mourinho told reporters.

"He`s a player of my total confidence. I trust him as always and he`s one of my men. Because he`s on the bench one game or because I take him off at half-time, nothing changes.

"For John the situation with me hasn`t changed since 2004 (when Mourinho first became Chelsea boss). It is exactly the same.

"I play the player I think is the best for that game, for that moment and John has known that since 2004.

"I don`t care what you say, media, pundits. I don`t think about the consequences."

Mourinho also said it was disrespectful of Gerrard to Terry to spark talk of dressing room unrest.

"I don`t think John deserves somebody to say he has a problem with me," Mourinho added.

"I`m not even speaking about myself, I don`t care about myself.

"But I think a top professional like he is and the way he always behaves in this club with me, I don`t think he deserves any kind of doubt about what he is as a professional and as a captain in this club."