Chelsea Aftermath Carling Cup News

Chelsea's Terry in amazing Ten Cate bust-up

Chelsea captain John Terry had a furious bust-up with coach Henk ten Cate at training, it has been revealed. The Sun says Terry and Ten Cate had to be pulled apart by stunned Blues players after a furious training ground bust-up. The ugly confrontation - just 24 hours before Chelsea's Carling Cup final defeat by Tottenham - was watched by shocked owner Roman Abramovich.Eye witnesses saw Ten Cate aggressively face up to skipper Terry during Saturday's session.The pair went head to head, hurling a tirade of swear words and insults as players dived in to separate them.

A witness told The Sun: "The session was supposed to put the finishing touches to the final plans for Wembley - but it just descended into a massive row."All the players have become exasperated by the shambolic nature of some of the recent training sessions."And there was a lot of unrest among the squad because no one knew what the team was going to be for Wembley."Everyone was trying to guess what was going on and in the end the frustration became too much. But the intensity of the row took everyone by surprise.
"John and Ten Cate were right in each other's faces and when it became clear that neither was going to back down, other players jumped between them to pull them apart.

"To make matters worse, Mr Abramovich was visiting the training ground and saw the whole thing."

Grant failing to convince Chelsea powerbrokers

Avram Grant is battling for his Chelsea job after Sunday's Carling Cup final defeat against Tottenham. The Daily Mail says amid rumours of serious dressing-room unrest, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy are understood to be hugely disappointed with Grant's failure to rise to the occasion at Wembley.
Owner Roman Abramovich visited the Chelsea dressing room after Tottenham's much-deserved 2-1 victory and is said to share the views of those who thought Grant not only picked the wrong team but then displayed a lack of tactical nous and also failed to inspire his players at key times.
In particular, they were shocked to see him on the periphery when coach Steve Clarke delivered a team talk between the end of normal time and the beginning of extra-time.
The Israeli seemed to have the full support of his employers when they handed him a four-year contract in December and he also had their public backing when the club announced their financial results last week.
Chairman Bruce Buck said: "We judge a manager on results and, to date, his results have been very, very good." Before Sunday, his record was impressive. In 34 games since succeeding Jose Mourinho he had won 24 and drawn eight.
But he has lost key matches - against Manchester United and Arsenal - and failed what amounted to the sternest test of his managerial career at the weekend.

Chelsea's Lampard in heated Grant row

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard had a furious row with coach Avram Grant over his first team future, it has been revealed.The Daily Mail says there has been a heated exchange between Lampard and the manager after Grant told him he could no longer expect to play in every game.
Grant suggested on Friday that the injuries Lampard has suffered this year could be the price he is paying for those remarkable record-breaking appearance runs in the past.
Chelsea's Drogba: Tottenham were better team tribalfooball.com - February 25, 2008
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba had no complaints over Sunday's Carling Cup final defeat to Tottenham.Drogba told his club's website: "I think Tottenham were the best team. They did well.
"We have so many options, the first 11 need to perform and they need to show they have to be on the pitch, because of the pressure. We all want to play. The spirit is good.
"It's difficult to lose a final, no matter against Tottenham or other teams. There is disappointment because you want to lift the cup, but I'm not worried about the future. We are strong players with a strong mentality."

Chelsea boss Grant: Players right to be angry with ref

Chelsea boss Avram Grant says his players are right to be angry with ref Mark Halsey after yesterday's Carling Cup final defeat to Tottenham. He was furious that a penalty was awarded for handball against Wayne Bridge on a linesman's advice after appeals by Spurs.
Boss Grant also rapped Halsey for blowing the final whistle with Salomon Kalou poised to shoot.
Even though Spurs were already celebrating and Kalou's shot hit a post, Grant moaned: "We're all upset because he stopped the match when Kalou was right in front of goal. How can he decide whether it's one or two seconds more?"
Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry all confronted the officials after the final whistle.
Grant added: "The players were angry and I can understand that.
"The penalty was a rash decision and it wasn't even the referee's. When the ball hits a hand it doesn't mean a penalty if it's an accident."

Chelsea's fringe Cup players upset with treatment

The Chelsea players who were left out of Sunday's Carling Cup final squad are unhappy with their treatment by management.The Daily Mail says Andriy Shevchenko was among a number of senior Chelsea players unhappy at not being invited to stay with the Cup Final squad in London on the eve of the match.
Only those who were in the starting XI or on the bench spent the night at the Landmark Hotel, with the likes of Shevchenko and Ashley Cole told to travel to the stadium in their club suits on the day of the game.

Chelsea skipper Terry shrugs off Cup final team talk

Chelsea captain John Terry insists there was nothing untoward in him giving the team talk prior to extra-time against Tottenham on Sunday.
Avram Grant took a backseat as Terry attempted to rally his teammates, but insisted that this was simply a case of a club captain fulfilling one of his duties - "when the camera was on me, it was my time to speak and I did," he said