PFA Players' Player of the Year John Terry is convinced the 'special' relationship between Jose Mourinho and his players has been the key to Chelsea's success this season. In part two of his interview with givemefootball's Mark Shail, Terry, who became the first defender to win the award since Paul McGrath in 1993, talks about the strengths of his manager, as well as the Champions League semi final against Liverpool.
Q:WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN JOSE MOURINHO ARRIVED AT THE CLUB IN THE SUMMER?
A:Before we met Jose we were all quite scared, we weren't quite sure what to expect. It was when he pulled me to the back of the plane on the trip to America and told me he wanted me to be captain that I realised I was part of his plans.
Q:WHAT EXACTLY DID HE SAY TO YOU?
A:He said 'I can see the lads have a lot of respect for you and because of that I want you to be my captain'. He then told me the things he wanted from me as captain – on and off the pitch. He wanted me to be a talker out there in the game, and he also wanted me to get his words across to the players.
Q:TELL US ABOUT SOME OF MOURINHO'S STRENGTHS?
A:He’s very clever the way he takes the pressure away from the players. All the talk around the games has often centred on him, which has meant we’ve been able to go out there, get on with the job and do our bit on the field. Jose is a great guy to have in and around the place. He has given me a lot of confidence. He gave me the armband at the start of the season and made me believe I'm one of the best players in the Premiership. My confidence grew from then on and I felt a million dollars going out on to the pitch.
Q:THERE ARE A LOT OF HIGH-PROFILE PLAYERS AT CHELSEA, FROM MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, HOW HAS MOURINHO MANAGED TO CREATE SUCH SPIRIT AND TOGETHERNESS AT THE CLUB?
A:I think that has been the key this year – there are no big superstars and everybody respects each other on and off the pitch. We've got a great manager and the players have so much respect for him. Training and tactically he is spot on and he also has a great staff around him. He wants to win everything and doesn't settle for second best. We're top of the league, still in the Champions League, so there is still plenty to play for.
Q:LOOKING AHEAD TO THE LIVERPOOL GAME, WILL IT FEEL A LITTLE STRANGE PLAYING A TWO-LEGGED EUROPEAN SEMI FINAL AGAINST AN ENGLISH TEAM?
A:It will be a bit different, but I think people should be celebrating the fact that two English teams are in the semi finals – because one of us are guaranteed a place in the final. It will be the fourth time we've played them this season and we know they are a great side. They are very good defensively, a bit like us, but hopefully we get a lead at Stamford Bridge and hold on to it at Anfield.
Q:HOW SIGNIFICANT IS IT THAT YOU TRAVEL TO MERSEYSIDE FOR THE SECOND LEG?
A:Maybe they have got a little advantage being at home for the second leg because they've got great support and there is sure to be a great atmosphere. They will be looking to get revenge on us for the Carling Cup, and we respect them because they have some great players, but hopefully we won't allow them to unsettle us.
