Porto v Chelsea:JOHN TERRY says Chelsea can illustrate their intent to win trophies at home and abroad over the next 11 days, as they embark on a sequence of four important away matches. The club's captain believes their hopes have been bolstered by the return of the fear factor which once accompanied the team under Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea have responded positively to the appointment in the summer of Carlo Ancelotti as manager and they arrived in Portugal for tonight’s Champions League Group D tie against Porto with qualification to the knockout phase already assured.
In domestic competition, meanwhile, they are five points clear at the top of the Premier League and they are also into the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
“I really do think we are close to getting there,” Terry said. “When you listen to the other players, in other words when we are away with England, speaking about how well we are playing, they are fearing us again.
“They are confident that we are playing well and have a real chance of going on to do great things this year. I think we did have that when we were winning the Premier League [under Mourinho in 2005 2006]. It’s key we get that back.”
The ex-Porto players Ricardo Carvalho and Deco will return as Ancelotti looks to freshen up his team, as will Branislav Ivanovic and Michael Ballack while there will be a start at left-back for Yuri Zhirkov.
Ancelotti said Michael Essien had a slight knee problem and would not start against Porto, although he would be fit for the Premier League trip to Arsenal on Sunday, which precedes the League Cup fixture at Blackburn Rovers and the Premier League game at Manchester City.
Didier Drogba, who has recovered from badly damaged ribs, hopes to appear as a substitute to prove his fitness for Arsenal.
Frank Lampard and Jose Bosingwa are out but exciting prospect Gael Kakuta is in the 20-man party.
“It’s four away games in a row and that’s the challenge major title-winning teams rise to,” said Terry.
“We know what it takes to win major titles and it is winning runs, periods when you keep on top, striding from result to result. If we beat Porto, we win the group with a game to go. Not many teams win in Porto but we can do it.
“Then it’s Arsenal and Manchester City in the league. Victory, too, at Blackburn and we’re in the semi-finals. On the two occasions we’ve won the Carling Cup recently, we’ve gone on to win the Premier League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2007. It’s the appetiser.”
Ancelotti insists he does not fear Porto as Chelsea look for a victory that would provide the Blues with a first-placed finish in their group but the Italian coach does not underestimate the challenge awaiting his side.
Porto have lost just once in Europe this season – a 1-0 reverse at Stamford Bridge where a Nicolas Anelka goal proved decisive.
Patchy domestic form has left Porto in third place in the Portuguese league, five points off the lead, but for the first time this season coach Jesualdo Ferreira has a full squad at his disposal.
They, like Chelsea, have only conceded two goals in Europe and victory for Ferreira’s side will give Porto the edge going into the final group game.
“Porto have a very good team and coach but while we respect them we have no fear,” said Ancelotti.
“We want to put our personality and quality on the pitch tomorrow night.”
