John Terry has explained why he wants Liverpool to lift the Premier League title this season, despite his Chelsea connection.
The former England star is Chelsea’s most decorated captain, leading the club through a golden era that included five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and a Champions League crown.
Since retiring, Terry has remained in the game, working as part of Dean Smith’s coaching staff at both Aston Villa and Leicester City.
He is now back at Chelsea working with the club’s academy players.
Although he played at Stamford Bridge for 19 years, Terry believes Liverpool are the team to beat this season and he gave a special reason for why he wants them to succeed.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Jim White asked the Chelsea legend if Liverpool’s huge transfer spending made them clear favourites.
John Terry is back at Chelsea. (Image: Chris Lee – Chelsea FC / Contributor via Getty)
Terry said: “I think it’s theirs to lose, to be honest.
“I think they have a big motivation with the very sad loss of Diogo Jota in the back of their minds as well.
“I really hope Liverpool do it for that reason alone, I think they’re the strongest side.
“I think Man City have shown vulnerability again this season, I’m not sure Chelsea have enough experience within their squad to push them and also I don’t want to put the pressure on the Chelsea squad.
“I think it’s Liverpool’s to lose and I wish them well for it.”
Chelsea are the current Club World Cup holders. (Image: Anadolu / Contributor via Getty)
Terry was also keen to discuss the Blues, who won the inaugural edition of the expanded Club World Cup in the summer.
“We are officially the best team in the world,” Terry joked.
“So we’re happy with that at the minute, also don’t want to put much pressure on the boys, we are a young squad.
“We have a chance to be up there and we should be because we’re Chelsea and I think any top side, or any young or experienced player going into the season saying we can’t win it shouldn’t be playing at the top level.”
Last season, Chelsea made history by fielding the youngest starting XI in Premier League history, with an average age of just 24 years and 36 days old.
The squad has since been refreshed with even more young talent.
Joao Pedro, Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap all arrived with Premier League experience.
They also brought in exciting attacking talent from abroad with Jamie Gittens arriving from Borussia Dortmund and Estevao joining from Palmeiras.
The highly-rated teenage defender Jorrel Hato also made the switch from Ajax.
