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Robben criticises rotation policy

Saturday, 20 August 05, 10:02 AM · Comments (3)

Arjen Robben has risked the wrath of Jose Mourinho by criticising Chelsea's rotation policy -- only days after Ricardo Carvalho spoke out about being left out of the squad for the game at Wigan.

Robben denies criticising Mourinho · Update

Looks like the media's been up to their old tricks again in an attempt to destabilise The Blues: Arjen Robben has made a statement on the stories in the newspapers this morning concerning comments made about selection policy.

“I would like to make clear that I completely deny making any critical comments attributed to me this morning about the manager's selection policy at Chelsea,”? he said. “I have only given one interview this week which is published tomorrow.”?

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Posted by Nick Benfield | Comments (3)

3 Comments · Add yours

ted
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ted Wrote: | 02.53BST | Aug 21, 2005

Glad it's clear Robben didn't make the comment.
By the way, anyone here can clearify the news from Daily Mail that we will play Brazil team, which will feature Ronaldo, Adriano, Ronaldinho, and Carlos, on November 16?
Hope it's true.

Kenn Emetulu
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Kenn Emetulu Wrote: | 09.17BST | Aug 21, 2005

We would be naïve to think that it’s possible to avoid discontent in our camp; it is how the manager handles each particular case that should be the real issue. I think the first myth we have to slay here is the one that claims this “problemâ€? right now is as a result of too many superstars in one team. The fact is there will always be discontent in any squad comprising more than fifteen players - that is in a situation where the manager needs to constantly make a decision about which eleven to start with in each game. Birmingham is not a team of superstars, but Clinton Morrisson has now grumbled his way almost out of the club with the arrival of Forssell and the permanent deal for Pandiani. The other day, it was Robert Earnshaw wondering why his manager was bringing in Ellington when there are already five strikers at West Brom. And just before he broke his arm, Jason Euell was on warpath with Curbishley over being sidelined. These are not big clubs or big players, but it’s basically the same problem.

Secondly, selection policy is not the only thing that tears up team spirit in the camp. Joey Barton and Richard Dunne had a well-publicized fight in Bangkok; Fergie came out to admit he’s had a run-in with his captain, Keane (as Ferdinand and Ruud were enjoying a punch-up); while we are all aware of Ashley Cole spitting fire recently against Arsenal, his manager and some of his teammates. In fact, the selling of Vieira is not unconnected with the need to repair the damage already done to team spirit by the whole Ashley Cole affair. At Newcastle, Bowyer and Shepherd are at war and only God knows who else is at war with Souness right now. At Liverpool, the whole ‘Gerrard-going-Gerrad-staying’ saga emanated from the degeneration in the player’s relationship with Benitez, while at Bolton, Alladyce is gingerly handling the Okocha-Giannakopoulos problem with O’Leary showing his teeth by benching Solano against Man United today for daring to say he’d love to move to Anfield

It boils down to how managers handle the situation when faced with any of these kinds of problems with players. I think Mourinho has done a masterful job. He’s made it known that there are no sacred cows. The way he’s involved the group and the players’ leadership in the resolution or restatement of the position makes it clear to everyone that anyone complaining to the press or outsiders is taking on the group, not the manager alone. Terry has made it clear that everyone has a stake in team unity. Of course, we must accept Robben’s denial until the contrary is proved; so, as a fact, we are only talking Carvalho here. He’s apologized; Mourinho has bared his teeth, Terry has restated the rule and we’re fine. We can’t stop the anti-Chelsea media prowling around, looking for negative stories about our club or manufacturing them to pull us down; but it didn’t work last season and it’s not going to work this season. In the long run, it can only make the group tougher and the victory sweeter.

So, c’mon Blues! Tomorrow we gonna kick some bloody Arse!

Bippen
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Bippen Wrote: | 17.10BST | Aug 21, 2005

Yeah, it's true! The game is to be played in my backyard. Kickoff at 5pm.

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