Ancelotti backs Terry

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has described John Terry as a mixture of Italian legends Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini.

It is Ancelotti's latest backing for his skipper, who at the weekend was accused of taking secret cash payments for a tour of the club's Cobham training ground, a claim that led to Chelsea releasing a statement insisting the 29-year-old did not "ask for or accept money".

"Terry is like Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini in personality, character and leadership," Ancelotti said. "I am very lucky to have this player as my captain."

Terry was named as one of the players in FIFA/FIFPro's world XI this year.

Ancelotti, who has guided his club to the top of the Barclays Premier League heading into the Christmas period, also sees similarities between Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and Milan counterpart Silvio Berlusconi, who is the Prime Minister of Italy.

"Abramovich is like Berlusconi," Ancelotti said in the Evening Standard. "He has a passion for his club, he likes to speak about football, as does Berlusconi. Both of them like to watch football on television. After a game he comes to the dressing room."

He added: "I never think that if I don't win games Roman will remove me. My aim is to do the best for this club, as I have done for other clubs."

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is targeting success in the title race and the Champions League under Ancelotti.

"We are craving for Premier League crown this season and I hope we will manage that," he told Sport.cz. "At the same time, I believe that we will do well on the Champions League scene.

"Our team has the potential to win the most prestigious European club trophy finally."