Chelsea and Man City bosses confident their warring stars won't be affected by the on-field meeting in EPL today

More needed to Chelsea vs Man City EPL clash

Chelsea and Man City bosses confident their warring stars won't be affected by the on-field meeting in EPL today

In happier times: Former Chelsea and England teammates John Terry
and Wayne Bridge during a training session in 2007. Terry and Bridge
will meet for the first time since it was reported that Terry had had an
extra-marital relationship with the mother of Bridge's young son.
Pics/Getty Images, AFP

Terry and Bridge will meet for the first time since it was reported that Terry had had an extra-marital relationship with the mother of Bridge's young son.

The fall-out from the revelations led to Terry being stripped of the England captaincy and culminated in Bridge this week announcing his withdrawal from the England set-up, claiming his position in future squads had become "untenable".

All eyes will be on the pair before kick-off to see whether they shake hands.

But Ancelotti is insistent the matter will not be allowed to affect the form of his team or his captain.
"Tomorrow will be Manchester City against Chelsea and we have to stay focused on this," said the Chelsea manager. "Manchester City are a good team with players of quality and we have to stay focused.

"I think Terry is a professional and he doesn't have a problem to stay focused on the match. I haven't spoken with him about this because it was not necessary to speak about this. I prefer to talk about football."

Terry's recent performances in the away defeats at Everton and against Inter Milan in the Champions League have been less than convincing but his manager insists the player remains unaffected by speculation about his private life.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini meanwhile has expressed similar confidence in Bridge's ability to cope with the pressures generated by Saturday's match.
"I am sorry for Wayne and for England because it is important for any player to play for the national team," said Mancini. "He didn't speak to me before he made the decision.
"But I respect what he has done. It is not affecting the club or the dressing room. He is a strong character, who has a strong mentality.

Chelsea vs Man City, Live on ESPN: 18.10

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