John Terry key to Chelsea's title-winning season, says Ray Wilkins

Image: John Terry celebrates after Chelsea seal the Premier League title

Former Chelsea captain Ray Wilkins says skipper John Terry has been the key factor in the club's title-winning season.

Terry has played every minute of every Premier League game for the Blues this season and Wilkins is convinced his influence on and off the pitch has been vital in securing the Premier League crown for the first time in five years.

Soeaking to the Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ, he said: "John has been the outstanding defender in the league not only for this season but the last X amount of years.

"He's a fantastic leader and that's what a lot of people don't see, the way he controls the dressing room for Jose Mourinho, he is Jose on the pitch, they are both winners.

Sky Sports'Jamie Carragher says former England teammate John Terry has been easily the best defender in the league this season

"What Jose did when he came back in was to get hold of John immediately and tell him he was the man for him and that has been displayed by John all season.

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"John has never been quick but the important thing is he is reads situations very fast, always in the proper position in relation to where the ball is so he never gets caught out.

"He's a dream to work with and is a massive assistance (to the manager) because he gets across what you want him to get across and that is very, very important when you are a manager. They have lots of big personalities in there.

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"They would not have won what they won if he had not been supportive they have gone from strength-to-strength.

"The real John Terry is a guy I like and admire immensely, yes he's been in trouble and some scrapes, and I am sure he regrets a lot of them scrapes. It's life and unfortunately he hasn't handled certain situations in the best fashion but we are looking at a footballer here.

"The football side of him is something that every club in the Premier League would have loved to have had for the last 10 years." 

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