Rafa Benitez Accepts There Are Tensions Within Chelsea

Rafa Benitez has admitted there are tensions within his squad after a training ground bust-up in the aftermath of Chelsea's 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday. The Spaniard lectured his shell-shocked players on their failure to grasp tactics and a general lack of effort, saying they were responsible for getting a series of managers the sack.

John Terry made a passionate defence on behalf of the players, even though he missed the match at the Etihad Stadium as he recovers from injury.

'It was very brief exchange of ideas, and that is it, nothing else. It is just a team talk after a defeat.

'We had a meeting on the pitch with my players and technical staff, which is part of our business.

'Now we have to move on and start thinking about Middlesbrough.'

Asked about his relationship with the Chelsea players, Benitez said: 'It is fantastic. I have no problem. After defeat they were disappointed like me.'

Benitez maintains everyone is united at the club to make sure they end the campaign on a positive note, having slipped down to third in the table following Tottenham's late win at West Ham last night.

'They are a good group of players, working hard and keen to learn. They were disappointed like me with the defeat, but that's it,' he said.

'(We want to finish in the) top three, it is really important for us but, being a top side, we have to try and win every game.

'Middlesbrough were doing really well, but they have also had some games with problems.They have a good manager and a good team. They will give everything in the FA Cup, so it will be difficult.'

The winners will face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the sixth round. 

Benitez won't be helped by the absence of Gary Cahill with a virus and Cesar Azpilicueta with a leg injury for the trip to the Riverside.

Terry may again find himself on the bench as Benitez tries to rotate his squad for the Cup tie.

Meanwhile, Hamburg sporting director Frank Arnesen has confirmed the German club would like to make Jeffrey Bruma's loan deal permanent.

Bruma is on loan at the Bundesliga club for the second successive season. Arnesen was director of youth and development at Chelsea when Bruma arrived from Feyenoord in 2007.

Source: dailymail