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PORTO V CHELSEA

Terry: We have what it takes to win trophies

November 25, 2009

Chelsea captain John Terry wants the Blues to prove they have trophy-winning credentials by cementing a great start to the season with four wins in 11 all-important days.

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John Terry is desperate to make up for his penalty slip in the 2008 final by lifting the trophy.

Victory over Porto would earn Chelsea first place in Group D but Terry is already casting his eye over two massive Premier League clashes against Arsenal and Manchester City as well as a Carling Cup quarter-final against Blackburn.

Terry will lead Chelsea out for the 300th time against Porto in the Estadio do Dragao tonight and says teams who harbour trophy-winning ambitions must rise to the challenges placed in front of them.

"We know here what it takes to win major titles, and we need to produce that now,'' said Terry. "It takes winning runs. It takes periods when you keep on top, striding from result to result.

"Good performances, strong performances, dogged performances, and everyone in the squad playing their part. When we are away with England, players from other teams tell us they are fearing us again. We have got a good chance of going on to do great things this year.

"We did have that when we won the Premier League year after year (in 2005 and 2006). It is key we get that back. We have had a good start in the Champions League and the Premier League but we are not getting carried away with the situation at the moment.

"We did the same last year and sort of threw it away around the Christmas period. We certainly don't want to do that this time around. Since the manager (Carlo Ancelotti) has come in he has seen a squad of hungry players who are willing to fight for their place and each other. It's four away games in a row. That's the challenge major title-winning teams rise to.''

Ancelotti will ring the changes against Porto with Michael Essien, a two-goal hero in the 4-0 demolition of Wolves, on the bench alongside Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba.

However, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Ballack, who all missed the win over Wolves, will be recalled. 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.

They, like Chelsea, have only conceded two goals in Europe and victory for Jesualdo Ferreira's side would give Porto the edge going into the final group game.

It is very much a pressure game for Ancelotti and his Chelsea side, who have failed to sparkle on their travels in Europe this season.

A 1-0 victory over Apoel Nicosia, again thanks to an Anelka strike, was followed by a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid - but the dreary performances in both games was hardly the stuff to drive fear into Porto's hearts. But then fear is something not contained in Ancelotti's mindset either.

"Porto have a very good team and coach but, while we respect them, we have no fear,'' said Ancelotti.

"I think tomorrow is important not only for first place, but we will play against a strong team. They did well in the last game at Stamford Bridge. We want to put our personality and quality on the pitch tomorrow night.

"We want to arrive at first place in the group and it is a very good test because Porto are a very good team. We have the possibility to win if we play better than them. I don't know any other way.''




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