London:
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has likened John Terry to Italian greats Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini in his latest show of support for his beleaguered captain.
The England skipper has been having to defend himself from accusations of money-grabbing after the News of the World tabloid on Sunday alleged he'd accepted a financial payment to provide a tour of Chelsea's training ground.
The paper claimed Terry, who captained the Premier League leaders in Sunday's 1-1 draw at West Ham, arranged the visit to Chelsea's Cobham training complex for three undercover reporters posing as businessmen without permission from Ancelotti.
It is claimed that Terry took a 10,000 pounds payment, 8,000 pounds of which he wanted to go to the 'Make A Wish' charity for children with the other 2,000 pounds going to a middleman.
Ancelotti dismissed the report and the former AC Milan coach went further by telling Tuesday's London Evening Standard that centre-back Terry reminded him of Rossoneri defensive greats Baresi and Maldini, whom he played alongside at the San Siro.
"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," the Italian added.
Ancelotti also drew a comparison between Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the Russian billionaire's Milan counterpart Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister.
"Abramovich is like Berlusconi," Ancelotti said. "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.
"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."