JOHN TERRY BACKS DIDIER DROGBA'S RANT

JOHN TERRY today incredibly defends Didier Drogba's foul-mouthed ref rant which cost him a three-match Euro ban.

Chelsea and England skipper Terry insists team-mate Drogba's anger and fury only epitomises his phenomenal passion for the club.

Furious UEFA chiefs slapped a six-game suspension on the Blues striker - later reduced on appeal - after he swore at Norwegian official Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of Chelsea's controversial Champions League semi- final defeat to Barcelona last season.

Chelsea were also fined £85,000 for the improper conduct of their players at the end of the game. But, speaking about Drogba's rant for the first time, Terry insisted: "From a Chelsea point of view, I love the way Didier reacted there.

"When he lost his rag after the (Barcelona) game, that is because he cares about this football club.

"Didier's love for the club and the passion he shows for our football club is unbelievable and I can't stress that any higher.

"When we lose a game there is no-one more disappointed than him.

"He shows his anger and his frustration.

"I'm sure if you are a Chelsea fan, maybe if you are sitting at home and you are watching that, maybe it is not good to see.

"But, at the same time, he cares about Chelsea Football Club and for people in it and the people running it, that is what they want.

"He has got passion that people don't realise.

"People were quick to criticise him.

"But, for me, you see him in the dressing room and you see him on the training ground and you see him motivating the players and motivating himself.

"He really cares for this football club and for the people in charge to see that and reward him with a new contract was great and I think he is paying them back."

Ban served, Drogba scored twice in his Champions League return at Atletico Madrid in midweek, majestically inspiring his team-mates to a 2-2 draw and booking the Blues' place in the last 16.

This afternoon he is preparing to terrorise Manchester United's makeshift defence in the crunch Premier League showdown at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba has formed a frightening attacking duo with French strike partner Nicolas Anelka following summer speculation that he might be one of the stars to move to moneybags Manchester City, and his own earlier confession that he was unhappy and wanted to quit the west London club.

But the 31-year-old Ivory Coast hitman has now signed a new long-term contract worth around £120,000 a week, which ties him to the Londoners for the rest of his career.

On fire

And Terry added: "I don't think Didier was ever on his way out of the club. He loves this club. Chelsea fans, Chelsea players and the people around Chelsea never doubted Didier.

"He has started the season unbelievably, he has been brilliant, so credit to him.

"Since we began pre-season training I stressed how important Didier was to this football club and he has started on fire."

Drogba has scored 12 goals in just 14 games and has been described by Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti as "the best striker in the world".

Terry concedes Chelsea are going to miss him when the African Nations Cup starts in January.

TERRY: Big admirer of Drogba

"He is in great from," said Terry.

"Apart from his goals, he does an awful lot for the team. He holds the ball and brings it down and his build-up play is second to none.

"For me, he is one of the best and most difficult strikers to play against in the world.

"There have been times when he has played well and the goals haven't come and vice versa.

"But at the moment he is playing well and scoring goals, too.

"Obviously, we are going to miss him when he goes away after Christmas."

Chelsea will also lose Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and Jon Obi Mikel for the three-week tournament, which starts on January 10 in Angola.

But by then, Terry is confident table toppers Chelsea will have an even firmer grip on the Premier League title race.

He is anxious to reclaim the crown United have won for the past three seasons.

A win today will send the Blues FIVE points clear of the champions and Terry believes the title is there for the taking.

"I think it is," he declared. "It has been three years since we last got our hands on the trophy and if we win on Sunday we will give ourselves a good cushion.

"We have had that cushion before and we have gone on from there.

"There is an international break after the game and that means there is a long time for United to be looking at the League table."

Terry added: "When you are away with England you spend 10 days sitting next to their players so, for us, it is important to win and I think it is a good time to be playing them."

Momentum

United will definitely be without their injured first-choice centre-half Rio Ferdinand.

And Real Madrid's £80million summer capture Cristiano Ronaldo is also missing from the United side who thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford last season.

That January victory put United on the path to their third successive title.

And Terry is convinced a similar Chelsea triumph today could have the same galvanising effect.

"United got the momentum from that win and we can really do the same here," he said.

"We are in good form. We never give up and that is what we are all about. United's form is not what it was the last couple of years.

"They were exceptional with Ronaldo and they are obviously missing him.

"Now people are starting to believe in us.

"You hear people talking that Chelsea are back where we want to be.

"Defensively we are looking good, going forward our midfield is unbelievable.

"Frank Lampard is in great form, Didier, Nico (Anelka) as well. We pose a threat.

"And not only the 11 players on the pitch but with the bench we have got as well, the players that can come on.

"Joe Cole is not even fully fit yet but people like that can come on and change the game."

But Terry is well aware of a few dangers on the other side.

He said: "For them, Wayne Rooney is in great form and it is important we keep him out.

"I think Michael Owen is a threat when he comes on.

"(Dimitar) Berbatov is quick too, and he holds the ball up really well in a similar way to Didier in that respect.

"But Wayne can run in behind, can play other people in and for me Wayne is the most difficult because you don't know whether to go with him.

"There are always wingers going in behind him, so do you go with him or do you stay with the runners.

"It needs a lot of defensive qualities to keep them out.

"But we have been defending well as a team, so I'm sure if we can keep them out we will be able to score goals.

"It's important we get a nice cushion before January because we will lose four big players.

"And I think that is when our squad will show the real strength in depth."

• ANCELOTTI: WE'RE NOT TOO OLD

This article has 5 comments