He would probably rather be compared to Maradona than Madonna, but John Terry will still have appreciated the backing of the man who picks him yesterday after Gerry Sutcliffe, the Sports Minister, called the Chelsea and England captain’s wages “obscene”. “He’s worth every penny,” Avram Grant, the Chelsea first-team coach, said, adding that football was “showbusiness”. Terry earns about £130,000 a week.

“He [Sutcliffe] didn’t choose the right person or the right issue,” Grant said. “Everybody likes to speak about footballers’ money. Why does nobody speak about singers who get more money in one year than any player? The Government need to take care of people who don’t have money, not have opinions about how much John Terry or Madonna have in their pockets.”

Grant lauded Terry for his commitment, especially in the rocky days after the departure of José Mourinho. “When you have a captain who quickly adapted and gave 100 per cent for the team, that is leadership,” he said.

Grant added that Maria Sharapova, the tennis player, is a multimillionaire at the age of 20 but has not attracted criticism. As for the argument that high wages inflate ticket prices, Grant said: “You can pay much more money to see The Police than at a football match – and I’m not against that, I like a good concert.”

While Mourinho had a fractious relationship with Rafael BenÍtez, the Liverpool manager, perhaps under Grant the rivalry between clubs will soften. He said yesterday that the Beatles are his favourite group. As an initiation ritual, each arrival at Chelsea has to perform a karaoke number. Grant chose My Way. A coded statement of authority, perhaps, although a song about reaching the end hardly seems appropriate for a man in a new job.

At least Terry’s knee problems are facing the final curtain. Grant said that the defender will be sidelined for another week or so, making it questionable whether he will be at full fitness in time for England’s friendly match against Austria on November 16.

Ashley Cole should return from his ankle problem next week, but Paolo Ferreira has an ankle injury that will keep him out for up to six weeks, so Wayne Bridge will play at left back against Wigan Athletic today.

Grant played down reports that the intense style of Henk ten Cate, the new assistant coach, is causing friction among players. “The players are very serious and professional in training, but I want them to laugh, too, especially after they play well,” Grant said.