Chelsea skipper Terry: Premier League is our priority

Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey reacts to John Terry’s claim that the Premier League is the number one priority for Chelsea this year and looks at how his side can go about toppling United.

Little more than a week before the new season kicks off, Chelsea captain John Terry has outlined the plans for the Stamford Bridge club for the coming year.

After pushing Manchester United to the wire both domestically and in Europe, the England defender insists that it is wrestling the Premier League crown from Sir Alex Ferguson that is the number one priority.

“We've had talks amongst ourselves and the Premier League is the one we're after,” Terry told Chelsea TV, as reported in The Times. “We want to get that back. Over the course of the season, to show that consistency and get it back off United would be fantastic. “

They famously won back to back Premier League titles under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, but after he left mid season last year the club failed to replicate his success, despite admirable work by Avram Grant.

It took a while for Chelsea to gel following the departure of the Special One and Terry, despite recognising the fantastic style of United, claims that his side still has a lot more to come.

“United have had two good years and you have to stand back and take your hat off to them, but we know we were good last year and we have another level to go to. Last year, I think we saw the very best of United, but we have got an awful lot more to come. "

“We have got improvements to make, but I think United are at their peak.”

The centre back also praised Scolari’s pre-season training methods and insists that all of the squad are raring to go in preparation of their opening game against Portsmouth next Sunday.

“Pre-season has been good. Actually, it has been very different,” Terry said.

“Under José, we never did any running, but, with Scolari, we have had our trainers on and done 1,000 metres, which is similar to the Vialli and Ranieri style of thinking."

“We are feeling good, we are looking good and we are preparing well.”

Fighting talk from Terry, but will Chelsea win the Premier League this season?

How Scolari will react and adapt to the hustle and bustle to English football will be interesting and hopefully he will hit the ground running in order to compete with United from the outset.

Is it simply a two horse race? Do Chelsea fans see United as their only hurdle in the quest to regain the Premier League crown?

Does this focus on the league mean that the club understand they are still lacking something to seriously challenge in Europe, despite last seasons final appearance, or are they simply mind games?