Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has dismissed media reports of a row between himself and some of his senior players in the aftermath of Sunday's 2-0 Premier League loss at Manchester City.
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British media reports claimed there had been a flare- up involving Benitez and a posse of players led by captain John Terry, but the Spaniard insisted there had been nothing untoward.
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Benitez, whose side visit Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday, said: "This was a normal meeting between players and technical staff, which happens after every game. It was normal talk, nothing else. You show your disappointment, that is normal.
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"I can understand the frustrations of Terry. He is an important player for us and has been injured with his knee.
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"It was very brief exchange of ideas, and that is it, nothing else. It is just a team talk after a defeat.
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"We had a meeting on the pitch with my players and technical staff, which is part of our business.
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"Now we have to move on and start thinking about Middlesbrough."
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Asked about his relationship with the Chelsea players, Benitez said: "It is fantastic. I have no problem."
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Chelsea's loss at the Etihad Stadium left them seven points behind second-place City in the Premier League and they were bumped down to fourth place on Monday following Tottenham Hotspur's 3-2 win at West Ham United.
We don't expect him to say it is true. It is a shameful incident so it has to be denied