Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Wilkins plays down rift talk

13 Feb 2009 - 12:50:59

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Assistant manager Ray Wilkins has denied that there are any splits in the Chelsea squad.

Blues captain John Terry had intimated after Luiz Felipe Scolari's departure that the Brazilian was not widely liked by several members of the squad, fuelling reports of a divided dressing room.

However, Wilkins has attempted to play down the rumours saying in the build-up to the FA Cup fifth round clash with Watford: "The reports are totally untrue. We don't have any sort of split, none whatsoever.

"Every coach has their own methods and some players like them, some don't - it happens at every football club.

"Whenever any coach coaches a club as big as Chelsea, the players who don't play are going to be disgruntled, that's a fact and it's no different here.

"They all want to play, but you can only pick 11 people, so it's very difficult for the coach."

Wilkins will be in charge for Saturday's fifth round encounter before Guus Hiddink takes on the boss' role next week.

The Dutchman has agreed to manage Chelsea for the rest of the season as well as continuing in his role as Russia's coach.