Case for the defence: John Terry has backed his England
team-mate Rio Ferdinand
Chelsea captain John Terry believes the Premier League
title is there for the taking - and so are Manchester United at
Stamford Bridge.
In a bullish and candid interview, the leader of club and
country not only defends injured England colleague Rio Ferdinand
against the snipers who wonder whether he will ever be the same
player again but also, more controversially, says he 'loved' the
passion for Chelsea which Didier Drogba showed in his reaction to
last season's Champions League defeat by Barcelona.
Although Terry speaks up for Ferdinand, he believes the
indifferent form of the United side as a whole make them vulnerable
to a Chelsea team inspired by Drogba.
But Terry believes his preferred partner in the heart of
England's defence has been made a scapegoat for United's collective
failings and will be back to his best in time for next summer's
World Cup.
'It's really difficult with United's form not being what it was
in the last few years. They were exceptional for two years with
Ronaldo, they are obviously missing him and when they are not
playing as well as they can, people finger-point. When you're
conceding goals, people look at individuals.
'Even when we were conceding from corners and set-plays people
were saying, "Chelsea look shaky defensively". 'That's down to the
whole team, that's not down to the defence and I think Rio is
suffering a little bit of that as well.
Chelsea can once more count on Drogba. Against Atletico Madrid
on Tuesday, in his first match since the end of the three-match ban
imposed for his foul-mouthed rant against Norwegian referee Tom
Henning Ovrebo last May, he gave the complete striker's
performance.
His two late goals were well-deserved adornments to a display of
pace, power, commitment and technique. It showed that reports he is
in the form of his life are no exaggeration, just months after his
future at the club was questioned.
But Terry's part-time employers at the FA will be uncomfortable
to hear the England captain express any kind of approval for
Drogba's reaction to Champions League semi-final defeat.
'I don't think Didier was ever on his way out of the club.'
Terry said. 'Didier loves this club and when we lose a game there
is no one more disappointed than him. People look at when he lost
his rag after the game, but that's because he cares about this
football club, and from a Chelsea point of view, I love the way
Didier reacted there.
'People were quick to criticise him but you see him in the
dressing room and you see him in training and you see him
motivating the players and motivating himself - he really cares for
this football club.
'He's one of the best and most difficult strikers to play
against in the world. When the performances and the goals go
together, I think it probably is the best he has played for
Chelsea.'
With or without Rio, that is bad news for United at Stamford
Bridge.
