John Terry: this is our year for glory

JOHN TERRY and his Chelsea team-mates reckon they will finally be crowned Kings of Europe this season.
They have gone agonisingly close, notably in the 2008 Champions League final when Terry missed a penalty in the shootout defeat to Manchester United in Moscow.

The Blues were also the victims of dubious refereeing decisions in the semi-finals against Liverpool in 2005 and Barcelona in 2009.

But they are off to a flier this season - winning their opening three matches.

Skipper Terry said: "It's the one trophy that's eluded myself and the club. We've come so close, we've had our bad luck, our unfortunate games.

"The Liverpool semi - was their goal over the line or not? Then there was the final against Manchester United and the semi against Barcelona when we could have had five or six penalties.

"But you have to make your own luck and dig in deep, and I really do think we have the squad to do that this year.

"That's what I believe and I think everybody in the squad believes it as well.

"We've achieved so much domestically but it would be great for us and the club to step up to that extra level."

Chelsea top Group F with a 100 per cent record after Tuesday's 2-0 win at Spartak Moscow. Terry was magnificent on his first return to the Luzhniki Stadium since missing that spot-kick against United two years ago.

He admitted: "I was delighted with how I played and to get the win. It means as a player I can now move on.

"It was horrible going back there but I don't want to go into that too much because it brings back painful memories.

"But we've moved on and who knows? We've gone back there in the group, won and maybe the bad things that happened in Moscow a couple of years ago could now lead to good things this season."

Terry is not the only one tipping Chelsea to win the Champions League this time.

Spartak's Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady admitted: "They are like a top European team - similar to Barcelona. Their wide players come in and their full-backs bomb on.

"I think Chelsea can win the Champions League - they are definitely the best team we have faced this season."