Jose Mourinho: Chelsea boss says no rifts with players

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has denied any rifts with his players heading into the Premier League game against Arsenal on Saturday.

The Blues are 17th after a poor start to the season and reports have claimed there are problems between Mourinho and captain John Terry, 34.

"Problems between me and my players I can promise you - zero," said Mourinho.

"He [Terry] is player of my total confidence. If he is on the bench or I take him off doesn't change anything."

Terry was taken off at half-time during a defeat by Manchester City on the second day of the season before being red carded in a win at West Brom.

He was an unused substitute in a Champions League group game win over Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday and there is uncertainty if the centre-back will start against the Gunners.

Duels at high noon

Chelsea, who have lost their last two games, have conceded at least two goals in all five league matches this season.

"Normally when bad results happen the first thing that comes into your laptops, iPads and pens is to find a dramatic story: 'Somebody punch somebody in the dressing room', 'The manager doesn't want to speak with this guy'," said Mourinho.

"'Diego Costa fought with John Terry and before they start the fight they brought a translator for them to understand each other, because Diego cannot speak English and John cannot speak Spanish'.

"You [the media] always go in this direction, which is funny. The other direction you don't go is the direction which is real.

"You lose matches, you are affected, you lose confidence, you don't want the ball."