Harlee Dean admits he, like many other English defenders, has tried his best to learn off John Terry throughout his career.
The Brentford captain may come up against his friend, and the man with whom he shares an agent, when they take on Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Despite the connection between the two centre-backs Dean said no contact has been shared between the two since the draw but had nothing but positive remarks to make about the Chelsea captain.
He said: “Yeh of course I’ve watched him and tried to learn off him. I’ve never really had to ask him anything, you know if we’ve got a big game or we’re on telly he’ll always send a message or something like that.
“He’s always asking how I’m doing and things, but that’s just the sort of bloke he is regardless of what people think.”
Dean went on to say that he holds no ill feeling towards Terry’s centre back partner and possible opposing number David Luiz over a controversial incident involving the Brazilian and former team mate Jake Reeves.
Luiz appeared to aim a forearm smash into the now AFC Wimbledon man when Chelsea and Brentford met back in the fourth round replay in 2013, but Dean says he has firmly put the incident in the past.
“I don’t know who we’ve got to feel ill feeling about that, no one’s still here from then. I mean it wasn’t nice but it was a long time ago and if you live on things like that and set out for revenge then you’ve got to let things go at times.”
Brentford's FA Cup tie with Chelsea
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