John Terry earns a small upgrade following an outstanding campaign where the return of Jose Mourinho seems to have energised him back to his best form. Under the widely derided Rafa 'Interim One' Benitez, Terry was relegated to the bench due to concerns over his fitness levels. That self-defeating strategy meant Terry lacked the regular football to recover his form and confidence and there were questions over whether Terry's career was starting to wind down. Fortunately, Mourinho knew better and immediately reinstated the former England captain to his rightful place at the heart of the Chelsea defence, where his organisational skills not only shone in their own right, but also brought out the best in Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta alongside him. What he lacks in pace, he more than makes up as one of the finest readers of the game in the world. Where Cahill pushes a little further up to break up attacks and initiate quick counters, Terry stays deep, in constant contact with his goalkeeper and always ready to cut out a cross and block shots while his partner does the donkey work closing people down around the edge of the area. His heading ability also makes him an excellent offensive asset from set-pieces. At 33, Terry's rating is likely to decline sooner rather than later, meaning players will probably want to plan ahead and bring in a potential replacement for the longer term. Nevertheless, you know your team is in safe hands at the back when Terry's rooted in the middle of your defence. Blues fans don't call him Captain Fantastic for nothing and England definitely missed his reassuring presence during their dismal World Cup campaign.
28-year old English writer with a borderline obsessive passion for films, videogames, Chelsea FC, incomprehensible words and indefensible puns. Follow me on Twitter if you like infrequent outbursts of absolute drivel.
