John Terry demands Chelsea focus on top four finish

05 April 2013 15:51

John Terry has told Chelsea to focus on securing a place in the Barclays Premier League top four after Thursday's Europa League victory put them on the verge of a second knockout semi-final.

After the Easter Monday defeat of Manchester United set up a Wembley FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City, last season's Champions League winners beat Rubin Kazan 3-1 in the Europa League quarter-final to take a commanding lead into next week's second leg in Moscow.

"We must win and keep winning games in the league and really push," Terry said. "Because that is what this club feeds off - the Champions League. We must be involved in that."

Defeat at Southampton saw Chelsea slip back from third place, two points behind Tottenham, but with a game in-hand, while Arsenal are two points behind the Blues in fifth.

The London derby between Chelsea and Spurs has been rearranged due to a clash with the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday week and when it takes place it could now effectively be a play-off for third place and an automatic spot in the Champions League. The fourth-placed side will have to negotiate qualifying, with the fifth in the Europa League.

If the consequences of missing out on Champions League football are unthinkable for Chelsea, this weekend's opponents Sunderland face a similar battle - for their Premier League survival.

"It's going to be really tough," Terry said. "A new manager has come in, a fantastic player he was as well. He's certainly going to have them up for it.

"You could see how well organised Swindon were over the short period of time he was there. He'll show passion. I've read a few things: he's told them 'tell your wives and your families it's going to be a lot of long days and hard work'.

"I think that's what they need because they're a great club, they've got a great set-up there and a great set of fans. The players are really good as well.

"It's surprising to see them down there, when we've seen them fight for so many years. They'll certainly be fighting and coming here hoping to pick up something."

Source: PA