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John Terry says Chelsea are stronger than ever

07/08/2008

John Terry has claimed that managerial changes and missing out on the Premier League and Champions League have made Chelsea stronger than before.

The Chelsea captain said that despite losing in the Carling Cup and Champions League finals and being pipped to the league title by Manchester United, the Blues are confident of a successful season in 2008-09.

"I see something off the field, a togetherness that I've never seen among a group of players," he told the club's official website.

"When the chips are down, injuries, manager changing, different things happening around the club, I see a team when players come together and be open and speak of each other. It was awesome to see, I'll never forget that."

The Stamford Bridge side have amassed four wins and as many clean sheets in five pre-season matches and Terry believes the Chelsea midfield could dominate the Premier League in the new season.

"[We have] great competition in there," he explained. "'Deco looks unbelievable - when you train with him every day you realise how good he is.

"[Michael] Essien is on fire as well so the manager has got a few decisions to make in that midfield area, big choices but that's the way it is at Chelsea and that's how we all want it."

The 27-year-old also paid tribute to Michael Ballack's willingness to "take responsibility" of games while applauding the contribution of his close friend and colleague Frank Lampard.

"Without Lamps we are not the same team," he stressed.

"'The penalty against Liverpool [in the Champions League semi-final] was unbelievable - what a character to stand up and do that after what he'd been through."