Jose Mourinho says he’s not the only ‘Happy One’ at Chelsea these days.
Mourinho famously told reporters of his new moniker at his first press conference back in the Stamford Bridge hotseat.
His skipper, John Terry , has gone from strength to strength since being reunited with the Portuguese at Stamford Bridge last year.
Terry, who turned 34 last Sunday, was plagued by fitness problems and in and out of the team under previous manager Rafa Benitez.
He is back to his best now though and Mourinho has revealed the secret to the former England captain’s revival can be found in his mindset.
“Everybody plays a part. Our training methodology helps. The way he’s taking care of himself is very important too. The medical department and my fitness coaches in the prevention and recovering area are working well.
“The most important thing of everything is ‘be happy’. I read once a famous neurologist - who was saying do some exercise eat properly, be careful with salt, all these things, and we forget to people what’s the most important thing - be happy - and I think John is.
“He had a period here of so many doubts and questions marks - is he fit? Can he still play at this level? Play, doesn’t play. On the bench. In the stand. Certainly the happiness arrives and John is doing two fantastic seasons.
“It is also important for me [to be happy] and I don’t play football. It’s important for me to be a happy person and to be surrounded by my people that I love. I was happy in so many places. Inter was fabulous, Porto was fabulous. Even my little teams in the beginning. I can’t complain.”
Terry is out of contract at the end of the season but Mourinho remains unconcerned by the status of his dwindling deal.
The Chelsea manager says it has been a gradual process for his skipper and knows players years younger than Terry in far worse condition.
He added: “It’s a process. If you remember when I arrive we played European Super Cup and he was not playing. He was not in an easy situation. He was not happy already but he was not ready for the high level. The reality is playing he’s so well last season and this season too.
“I followed Chelsea by television. I don’t know what is going on here. I don’t know the way he trains, the injuries. I know nothing. When you know nothing and you only watch 90 minutes a week on TV I can’t make any comment.
He’s playing well in a team that is playing very well. A team full of confidence. There are old players at the age of 22. I know some, 22 years old, old. I know old players with 22 years old. I know young guys with 36 and 27.
“I had in Inter, Zanetti, he was already 37 and when the other guys used to have their day off he was running from his home to expend the energy that accumulates in the day off. I think it belongs to them [the players to decide when to call it a day]. You never know when. The important thing, tomorrow, is the next match and he [Terry] is in great decision.”
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