Lost in translation? Ancelotti called Terry his 'pet'
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Lost in translation: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti plays down reference to 'pet' John Terry
Pet sounds: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has played down his reference to 'pet' John Terry made on late night Italian TV show 'Chiambretti Night'
Maybe it was the exotic atmosphere, maybe a word that didn't translate so well but Chelsea captain John Terry will have to live down his manager Carlo Ancelotti calling him his 'pet' on a late night Italian TV satire show.
Ancelotti, pictured looking a little mesmerised by a shapely lap dancer - Jose Mouirinho and Fabio Capello have had similar treatment in the past - did his best to put the record straight by proclaiming that the England captain could go on playing till he's 40, like AC Milan's Paolo Maldini did.
Chelsea boss Ancelotti, obviously at a loose end during the international break after going home to appear on Chiambretti Night, seemed a little flustered that anybody could misunderstand his feelings.
'I don't know what ''pet'' means,' insisted the former Milan coach. 'I have a lot of respect for John Terry. For all players who have worked with me in the last year with great professionalism.'
He repeated: 'I don't know what ''pet'' means. The programme made a comparison with (Pippo) Inzaghi. Terry and Inzaghi. 'I have respect for them all - for Terry, Inzaghi, Gattuso... all the players who work with enthusiasm.'
Of course, Maldini, Inzaghi and Gattuso were all special to Ancelotti in his time with AC Milan and now Terry bears comparisons during the Italian's new career with Chelsea.
Teacher's pet: Ancelotti feels Terry can play on at the top until he is 40 - much like Milan legend Paolo Maldini
But try telling that to JT's team-mates! Though Terry appears a much more physical player than Maldini, and so risks more injuries, Ancelotti is sure he can join Paolo by playing until he hits 40.
Ancelotti added: 'The careers of Maldini and John Terry are very close in comparison. Not just in terms of their playing but in terms of their professionalism.
Terrry can do this. He has no physical problems and a lot of passion. and this is the most important thing to continue to 39 or 40.'
Ancelotti is calling for the same defensive discipline Premier League leaders Chelsea showed in the win over Liverpool - one of five clean sheets in their last six games - for the early Saturday lunchtime clash at Aston Villa.
He said: 'If we play like we did against Liverpool, we can win. Play like we did at Wigan (losing 3-1), we'll have a problem.'