John Terry is excited about the extra competition Fernando Torres and David Luiz will bring for places in the Chelsea side.
Our captain also insists it’s time for teams to start fearing the Blues once again after beating Sunderland 4-2, a consecutive away win and four-goal haul in the league.
‘There is a buzz around the camp and it is great from a club perspective that we have made two massive signings,’ Terry says.
‘It’s also great for competition in the squad and lets everyone know we’re in the market again, we’re buying and competing with Manchester City, who have been spending an awful lot. To go out and sign players like Fernando Torres and David Luiz is a huge statement for Chelsea.’
The midweek win at the Stadium of Light saw Carlo Ancelotti implement a new system with great results. Instead of the normal three up front, the Italian chose a side which saw Nicolas Anelka tuck in behind Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou.
‘Everyone watching the game could see we looked very good. Going forward, the diamond caused them problems, the front two were very good and Nico was good in the role behind.
‘Everyone is fighting for places with some big games coming. The eagerness to win has always been here at this football club and that’s massive for me because we certainly have the quality, along with the two players that have been added. Hopefully they can settle very quickly.’
Terry knows Torres’s talents well. The striker scored his first Barclays Premier League goal against the Blues in 2007 during his debut season with Liverpool and since then has become one of the most prolific strikers in the league.
‘I’m delighted he is on the same side now. We have had some great battles. I was obviously very impressed when he first came and made his debut against us and scored the goal,’ he says.
‘Physically he is one of the strongest out there, his pace is frightening, his heading is unbelievable for his height and his finishing is top drawer, as we have seen against us a few times.
‘We have had one of the best strike forces the past few years anyway. I remember Nico scoring at Sunderland a few years back to finish league top scorer and then we won the Double last season – you don’t win that without your strikers scoring goals.
‘Didier and Nico have a huge part to play in this football club. They are among the most feared strike forces in Europe.’
Terry also discusses the change David Luiz’s introduction brings to the central defensive pool.
‘For myself, Iva [Branislav Ivanovic] and Alex, when he’s back and fit, it’s competition. Everyone wants to get training and playing with these guys and hopefully stay in the team.
‘That goes for myself as captain and Iva who has been superb as well. David Luiz can play right back, he’s been playing all across the backline at Benfica. He brings a lot of competition.
‘Going forward as well, Nico can drop back, Malouda can come in. We can play three up, two up, one up. Torres can play on his own, Didier too. It gives the manager some great options and very difficult decisions at that!’
The manager will have to make choices come Sunday when we host Liverpool, a side who have also made signings during the transfer window, acquiring an injured Andy Caroll, who won’t available for Sunday, and Luis Suarez who will having scored on his debut on Wednesday.
‘They are pretty similar to us,’ explains Terry. ‘What they have done is a massive statement for Liverpool Football Club, the way they went out and spent money on some very good players like Andy Carroll.
‘Hopefully with the home advantage and with the way we played against Sunderland, I’m confident we can go on a nice run. As we said, don’t fear us at your peril.’ www.chelsealatest.co.uk
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