• Premier League

Mourinho: Terry will remain club captain

ESPN staff
June 10, 2013
John Terry was not always picked under previous manager Rafael Benitez © AP
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New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists that John Terry will remain as club captain - but will only wear the armband if selected in his starting eleven.

During his press conference at Stamford Bridge on Monday, Mourinho insisted there would be no preferential treatment for the Chelsea old guard, something that he considered when stating Terry will remain as captain.

"John is the club captain," Mourinho said. "I'm more than happy with that and so are the fans. "With the armband? Only when he plays. If he isn't in the starting eleven he won't have the armband."

The Portuguese tactician also remained coy on whether he would be interested in signing want-away Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who handed in a transfer request shortly before Sir Alex Ferguson retired as Old Trafford boss.

"I've learned a few things. One of them is I don't comment on players from other teams. No chance. No chance," Mourinho added.

"I think he's at a fantastic age. Maturity, big experience, still young. It is up to him and what he wants, what makes him happy. A little bit like me, he doesn't need one more pound in his contract. One more cup won't make a difference.

"Where is he happy? Where will he find more happiness to have ambition and drive him? I like him as a boy. I wish him well and hope he is happy."

The former Real Madrid manager has been linked with a move for Napoil forward Edinson Cavani, but insists that he is determined to draw the best out of Blues striker Fernando Torres.

"Fernando is one of the guys I've not spoken to," Mourinho said. "I've had contact with some but not Fernando, who's with the Spain national team with Juan Mata and Cesar Azpilicueta at the Confederations Cup.

"I won't contact them while they're away. I don't want to be misinterpreted. I will wait until the end of the Confederations Cup and then I will speak with him.

"He's a Chelsea player with a contract. He's more than happy to stay and work hard and I think he deserves that respect from me, especially, and also the club. That respect starts with me speaking to him face-to-face and deciding what is best for all of us.

"If the best for all of us is for Fernando to stay, let's help him and try to get the best out of him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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