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Rediff.com  » Sports » Terry wants to make rivals suffer

Terry wants to make rivals suffer

By Clare Lovell
December 31, 2005 12:43 IST
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Chelsea skipper John Terry wants to make their Premier League rivals suffer as the champions take an 11-point lead into the last match of the year.

Two narrow victories so far over the busy holiday programme have kept the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool in the distance and Terry wants more of the same.

"If we keep winning and the others keep winning it's got to be so frustrating not catching us. We had that a few years ago with Arsenal," Terry told a news conference after training for Saturday's home game against Birmingham City.

"Our aim is not just to win one [title] but to carry on like Manchester United and Arsenal did.

"Things have gone so well. We've lost to Manchester United and drawn at Everton but other than that we've done really well especially in the gritty games where we've dug in and ground out a result," he added.

Terry, a product of Chelsea's youth programme who is now a defensive fixture for both the London side and England, plays his 250th league game on Saturday.

"I'm delighted. Looking back four or five years I didn't envisage it and the last couple of years with the arm band it's been very special," the 24-year-old said.

Midfield stalwart Frank Lampard should return for the Birmingham game after missing Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Manchester City with a virus, bringing an end to his record-breaking run of 164 consecutive league games.

Terry also had praise for Portuguese midfielder Maniche, who club sources say is likely to sign a loan deal from Dynamo Moscow, reuniting him with former Porto manager Jose Mourinho, with whom he won the Champions League.

Maniche would offer cover for Michael Essien, who could be away for a month playing for Ghana at the African Nations Cup.

Essien is also suspended for Chelsea's high profile Champions League first knockout round tie against Barcelona in February and March.

"If he comes, the manager knows a lot about him and his character and will know he can fit in," Terry said. "Everybody can see he's got great ability."

Maniche, who also won the UEFA Cup under Mourinho, should slot in comfortably in front of former Porto team mates Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira.

 

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Clare Lovell
Source: REUTERS
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