Jose Mourinho has suggested that John Terry may have retired
too early from England duty as he confirmed Gary Cahill, the
Englishman’s international replacement, is behind him in the Chelsea
pecking order.
Terry ended his national service 13 months ago, shortly before the FA found him guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.
Cahill has cemented a starting role under Roy Hodgson, but Mourinho prefers Terry alongside David Luiz. It means Cahill must come down from the euphoria of sealing England’s place in Brazil to a spot warming the bench against Cardiff on Saturday.
Second choice: Gary Cahill still cannot rely on a first-team place at Chelsea
‘If I was a football player, I would wait for the national team to
say: “We don’t need you any more”,’ said Mourinho. ‘But that’s just my
personal feeling. I’d wait, for sure. But he had reasons to push him for
that decision.’
Mourinho distanced himself from advocating a reunion, however.
‘If Roy and him decide to do that, Jose and Chelsea will never put something against that,’ he said.
‘But it’s up to them. I’m not in favour or against.’
Strength in depth: Jose Mourinho manages one of the strongest squads in Europe
Mourinho claimed it made him sad to overlook Cahill’s international
form, but insisted his priority would always be club over country.
‘I don’t enjoy leaving good professionals on the bench, but that’s life,’ said Mourinho. ‘I trust Gary. I want to help him, not make his life difficult. I would never do something that could jeopardise his selection for the national team. But at this moment John and David are playing well and giving stability.
‘The most important thing is Chelsea. The second thing is the players. The third thing is the national team. That has to be my ranking. But all three can work together.’
First choice: John Terry and David Luiz are Mourinho's preferred central defensive pairing
Luiz is now settled at the club after a difficult start under
Mourinho. He was wanted by Barcelona in the summer but stayed at
Stamford Bridge and now gets on well with his Portuguese boss.
Mourinho also revealed Fernando Torres has recovered from a knee injury sustained at the start of this month, predicting that goals will soon come for the Spaniard.
Former England captain: Terry succeeded David Beckham as captain of the Three Lions
‘He was very proactive against Tottenham, very dynamic, the best
people had seen for quite a long time,’ added Mourinho. ‘The fact he
recovered so well from his injury is not about the medical department,
but his feeling. He wants to be back. He’ll come back good. He will
score.’
Andre Schurrle is out after picking up a leg muscle problem on duty with Germany, while Ashley Cole still has acute pain from a rib injury and will be replaced by Ryan Bertrand.
Terry ended his national service 13 months ago, shortly before the FA found him guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.
Cahill has cemented a starting role under Roy Hodgson, but Mourinho prefers Terry alongside David Luiz. It means Cahill must come down from the euphoria of sealing England’s place in Brazil to a spot warming the bench against Cardiff on Saturday.
Second choice: Gary Cahill still cannot rely on a first-team place at Chelsea
Mourinho distanced himself from advocating a reunion, however.
‘If Roy and him decide to do that, Jose and Chelsea will never put something against that,’ he said.
‘But it’s up to them. I’m not in favour or against.’
Strength in depth: Jose Mourinho manages one of the strongest squads in Europe
‘I don’t enjoy leaving good professionals on the bench, but that’s life,’ said Mourinho. ‘I trust Gary. I want to help him, not make his life difficult. I would never do something that could jeopardise his selection for the national team. But at this moment John and David are playing well and giving stability.
‘The most important thing is Chelsea. The second thing is the players. The third thing is the national team. That has to be my ranking. But all three can work together.’
First choice: John Terry and David Luiz are Mourinho's preferred central defensive pairing
Mourinho also revealed Fernando Torres has recovered from a knee injury sustained at the start of this month, predicting that goals will soon come for the Spaniard.
Former England captain: Terry succeeded David Beckham as captain of the Three Lions
Andre Schurrle is out after picking up a leg muscle problem on duty with Germany, while Ashley Cole still has acute pain from a rib injury and will be replaced by Ryan Bertrand.
