Chelsea’s John Terry denies squad harmony rift after Fernando Torres started against Tottenham

Fernando Torres, Chelsea

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Chelsea defender John Terry is adamant there were no qualms in the dressing room after Fernando Torres was preferred to Salomon Kalou to start in the 2-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti had decided to partner his £50 million January acquisition with Dider Drogba in attack, thus dropping Kalou, despite the Ivorian’s recent form.

The Spaniard failed to make an impact on the pitch and it was his substitute, Kalou, who found the back of the net at the 89th minute to hand Chelsea a crucial victory at Stamford Bridge.

Terry has since dismissed claims that there are problems in the club’s dressing room regarding team selection.

“No arguing amongst the players, no disappointments,” Terry told Sky Sports.

“We understand it’s a team game and they’ve all got so much to give to this team. That could be key.”

Kalou, Drogba and Florent Malouda have provided a strong attack for Chelsea in recent weeks but Ancelotti believes that giving Torres a starting berth has not been to the detriment of the Blues’ offensive line.

“I think that the problem was not the position of Fernando,” insisted Ancelotti.

“The first 20 minutes were good, Fernando was involved. After that we had more difficulties to pass the ball to him.

“But his performance individually was good and Didier also sacrificed a bit because he played a little bit behind him, but he played for the team.”

Chelsea will travel to Manchester United next Sunday where a win for Ancelotti’s men would seen them level on points with Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges.

“To make a decision about the line-up, I have to forget the past,” said Ancelotti.
 “I have to look at the next training session.

“It’s important to have players in good form, in good condition. If we want to win there, we have to use intensity.”