Terry: Mourinho has brought Chelsea back together

The Blues captain believes the return of the Special One has galvanized the squad, and he insists Chelsea is ready to mount a title challenge once again.

John Terry believes the return of Jose Mourinho has brought Chelsea back together as the Blues target the Premier League title this season.

The second coming of the Special One this summer was greeted with delight at Stamford Bridge, bringing an end to the poisonous atmosphere that had surrounded Rafa Benitez's short reign, despite the Spaniard guiding the Blues to the Europa League crown and a Champions League berth.

Terry admits the return of his former boss has had a similarly uplifting effect on the squad as it looks to re-establish itself at the top of domestic and European football.

“We are looking fit and very much together – and Jose brings that,” Terry said, speaking after his appearance for Stiliyan Petrov’s XI against a Celtic XI in a fund-raiser for leukemia research. “It is us against everyone else, and I think that is what made us when he was here before, and we are very much in the same mould again.

“His man-management is excellent and he makes people want to play for him. He has it spot on. If there was a managerial manual he would tick every box. We are delighted to have him back.

“He has come home and all the players feel the same. Hopefully what we know about Jose and what Jose knows about the Premier League will make the ­difference in the title race.”