Luiz Felipe Scolari has only known John Terry a few short months - but he is already a fully paid-up member of the England captain's fan club.
Since Scolari's arrival at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea boss has managed to mould his side into one that plays with flair and excites fans and pundits alike while getting results. But he says there is still plenty of room for good old fashioned English brute force.
"I am a big fan of John Terry," he said. "He is a very good captain and a good man. He sometimes plays in pain, but he is the kind of captain I want."
Terry will be badly needed against Chelsea's joint table-topping rivals Liverpool on Sunday, as the undefeated Reds head for Stamford Bridge. But Scolari says his bruising centre-half will be as ready for the big match as the rest of his team.
"We will work on the Liverpool game on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. But anybody who plays in our team knows the position he needs to be at any time when the opponents have the ball."
Meanwhile, over in the opposition camp, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is dreaming of avoiding the last-minute dramas he's endured in recent weeks by getting things wrapped-up at The Bridge by half time.
"It would be nice for our fans if we could lead by two or three goals at the break and they could enjoy the match," he said.
And if Chelsea fans see this fantasy as evidence Benitez needs his head examined, then they will be pleased to find that the Spaniard is in agreement.
"If it continues like this I will have to seek a neurologist I don't like these late comebacks," he said.
