Jose
Mourinho has praised evergreen Chelsea captain John Terry after the
34-year-old’s early goal against Stoke on Monday helped secure a 2-0 victory
and top spot in the Premier League at Christmas.
Terry headed past Asmir Begovic in the second minute from a corner delivered
by Cesc Fabregas, who later wrapped up the victory by netting himself with a
scuffed 78th-minute effort.
And Mourinho feels his 34-year-old captain - a centre-back now to have
scored in 15 successive top-flight seasons - is playing as well as he was
during his first spell as Chelsea manager.
"When he is on the pitch he is always a threat," said Mourinho of ex-England
man Terry.
"But more important for me than the goal is the way he is playing this
season, again.
"When I came here (in the summer of 2013) he was a bit in trouble, his
career was a bit up and down and he was not playing regularly for Chelsea.
"But he has played basically every game, and, for me, at the same level as
from 2004-2007 when I was here.
"I think he adapts well to our training methodology - it's a good way for a
person with his body type to feel sharp and fast and in good condition.
After that it's happiness.
"When you're happy and confident it's easier in any job.
"He knows the way I trust him, and he feels confident and happy and he's
playing very well."
The win means Chelsea will spend Christmas three points clear of
second-placed Manchester City.
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