Carvalho Hails Terry Influence

Ricardo Carvalho has described the influence of John Terry in the Chelsea defence ahead of the Carling Cup final against Tottenham this weekend.

Terry was called a "bionic man" by boss Avram Grant for recovering from his foot injury in two months to face Huddersfield last week, and his return has raised the possibility of him leading Chelsea for the Wembley showpiece on Sunday.

The 27-year-old has been back in training with the rest of the squad after they were given a day off after the goalless draw against Olympiakos, which the skipper was rested for.

Grant has Alex or Tal Ben Haim as centre-back replacements alongside Carvalho if Terry cannot be risked. Carvalho has highlighted how Terry differs from his other defensive partners.

He said: "JT is the skipper and talks more than Alex, but Alex speaks Portuguese so we talk in Portuguese, that's no problem.

"JT shouts a little more, but we have our way to play. Alex is quieter, and I am too. But JT? No.

"He is the captain and has to lead the team. Tal likes to speak also, he is between the three of us, he likes to speak and shout, not like JT, but more than us."

Frank Lampard was also rested in Greece before coming on for the final four minutes, and he is determined to play against Spurs on Sunday after recovering from long-term injury.

"It's a cup final at Wembley against Tottenham in a derby, the sort of game anyone would look forward to," Lampard said on Chelsea's official website.

Chelsea have won the Carling Cup in two out of the last three years - and Carvalho wants to lift the first trophy of the season to put them on the road for a successful season.

The Portugal defender said: "It is important because it's the first cup of the season and if you win that you have a little more confidence for the run-in.

"It is always important to win titles, if you can get one in February it is very good.

"Of course if you don't win you have to win the next one, the FA Cup, or reach the top of the league, and then the Champions League, but it would be great to get one in our pocket early."

He added: "They will make it tough for us but everyone is fit and wants to play. We are stronger so we have to show it and take the cup."

Carvalho also wants to break Chelsea's duck in the Champions League, adding: "I won it with Porto and it would be great to win it again.

"For me, it would be great, two Champions Leagues, and there is a spirit in the squad to win.

"I want to just keep winning. The Champions League is the best one, for the club it is the best one to win, and it is a great experience for the players also."(source:sportinglife)