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Danny Murphy has told talkSPORT there was more to Jose Mourinho’s decision to bench captain John Terry than just tactics, with the manager sending a message to the Blues’ board over their pursuit of Everton youngster John Stones.

Terry was substituted for the first time in 177 games under the Portuguese coach in Sunday’s clash at Manchester City, though the presence of his more mobile replacement Kurt Zouma could not prevent the Blues falling to a 3-0 defeat to their Premier League title contenders.

Mourinho was forced to defend his decision following the full-time whistle, insisting the pace of French centre-back Zouma was key in shutting down City striker Sergio Aguero, who ran riot in the first-half against a stationary Terry and Gary Cahill.

But former midfielder Murphy believes there was an ulterior motive to the move – telling the club’s hierarchy to splash the cash and land top target Stones.

“I was surprised [by his substitution],” Murphy told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

“But after hearing Jose give his reasons I think it made sense – if you’re going to press high against Man City against Sergio Aguero, you need pace and Zouma fits that bill.

“But I think there was a bit of politics in it as well, in terms of pushing them to get Stones.

“I think John coming off will send a message upstairs, with Mourinho saying he’s not quite happy with his defensive options at the back.”

Everton have insisted the young England international will not be leaving Goodison Park this summer, though it has been suggested Chelsea could persuade the Toffees to sell for the right sum, having had three bids for the defender rejected this summer.

The Blues see the 21-year-old as the long-term successor to skipper Terry, who is entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Murphy, however, dismissed any notion that Terry’s Chelsea career is finished following Sunday’s snub at the Etihad.

“Let’s not get carried away and say it’s the end for John Terry, he is a brilliant centre-half – the best the Premier League has ever seen, in my opinion," said Murphy.

“He looked somewhat upset on the sidelines…but he’s shown on numerous occasions that he can come back from adversity, especially with the Rafa Benitez scenario, and I think he’ll do that again.”


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Van Gaal backs Rooney to shine in striker role despite slow start to Man United campaign

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal maintains he has complete faith in Wayne Rooney despite his indifferent start to the campaign.

Rooney has been restored to his role as a central striker this season despite spending much of last term in midfield.

So far he has failed to find the net and has had no shots on target in two matches. In Friday's 1-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa, the United skipper only touched the ball in the away penalty box once - and that was when he was trying to run down the clock in injury time.

Van Gaal has decided against buying a striker in the transfer market and seems to have an unshakeable belief in the 29-year-old.

"All the media has written for one year that I have to put him in the striker's position so it is very amazing that after two matches you already are doubting your own opinion. I cannot understand that," the United manager said in a spiky press conference on the eve of Tuesday's Champions League play-off against Club Brugge at Old Trafford.

"I have always confidence in my players but we don't have only Wayne Rooney in the striker's position.

"We have also Adnan Januzaj, Chicharito [Javier Hernandez] and [James] Wilson so I don't think we have a lack of strikers."