Terry feels Chelsea unity will be key

16 August 2009 14:58
John Terry believes that keeping the Chelsea squad together over the summer has given them the edge over their title rivals. The Chelsea and England captain helped his side get off to a winning start under new coach Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday - courtesy of two goals from rejuvenated Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba. Drogba recently signed a contract extension with Chelsea that will keep him at the club until 2013 and the striker's decision to stay, plus new deals for Florent Malouda and John Mikel Obi, have convinced Terry that the stability of their squad could be a crucial element of the title race this season. "Manchester United have lost Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool have lost Xabi Alonso and Arsenal have lost Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure," he said. "We have re-signed Didier, which is massive. He's just brilliant and a winner and that has been important to Chelsea. "Malouda and Mikel have also re-signed. Flo had a great second half to last season and has started this time where he left off. "The hunger among the boys this year to win the Premier League is as strong as ever. We want that and the Champions League and, with our squad being held together, there are plenty of reasons for optimism."

Source: Eurosport