Why John Terry's Fitness Will Be Key to Chelsea's Title Hopes

Rocked by off-the-field scandals, struggling to maintain fitness and publicly falling out with previous managers, it's fair to say that the last few years have not been the greatest of John Terry's career.

Granted, he finally got his hands on the most coveted prize in world football, the Champions League, in 2012 after missing the decisive penalty against Manchester United in the 2008 final.

But the Barking-born defender will know that improvement must be made in order to keep his place in the Chelsea team after falling out of favour last term.

Because despite his close relationship with new coach Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese boss gave no assurances that Terry, or anyone for that matter, would be in the side purely based on their reputation. And for a player seemingly out of form, that could entail more time on the bench.

At 32 years of age, he has naturally declined in terms of physical ability, with the extra yard of pace which used to be so vital to his game now absent.

And there are fears about how much longer he can cope at the top end of the game as he struggles to cope with the general pace of his opponents.

Additionally, his discipline has taken downward turn after a turbulent period last season. He was given a four-match ban after being found guilty of racially insulting Anton Ferdinand.

And his absence was certainly felt in the side, as the Blues struggled to replace their influential leader. Chelsea had been unbeaten in the eight games Terry had played in before his ban, after which they suffered an alarmingly dip in form, winning just two out of their next nine.

Never mind the team, the time out of the side had a negative effect on his preparations for the 2012-13 season, and after making his comeback against Liverpool with a crucial goal, he was then ruled out for three months after a heavy collision with Luis Suarez.

Of course, despite his obvious black marks, we are talking about the club's captain, and by any means, Terry is still viewed as a key figure in the Chelsea side.

Defensively, there aren't many players more intelligent than the towering centre-back. His aerial ability is a lethal weapon among his inventory, and if the ball is loose, you can rest assured that he will do everything to get there first.

As he has matured, his ability to read the game has developed to the extent that he no longer needs to rely on pace. His positional sense is second to none, similar to legends such as Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi, and as an old-fashioned defender, he is always there to snuff out attacks with crucial interceptions.

There aren't many players in the Premier League, or in the world for that matter, who put their body on the line like the former England international. Memorably, in the 2007 League Cup final, he was knocked out by Arsenal's Abou Diaby, but miraculously made it back for the post-match celebrations as Chelsea won.

Despite the constant booing from fans around the stadiums, much like his teammate Ashley Cole, Terry never seems to let even the fiercest of criticisms get to him, and that is an admirable trait. The fact that he is worshipped at Chelsea is enough, and at Stamford Bridge, the fans always make him feel like a hero.

His passion for the game is undeniable, and while many criticise his decision to put on his full kit in the Champions League final despite not playing, it shows the sense of togetherness that he is part of at Chelsea and that he always wants to be involved.

Terry will still feel he has a lot to offer to the club, especially under his favoured coach Mourinho, and why should anyone doubt that? He only made 27 appearances last season, his lowest total since the 2000-01 season, but still managed his third-highest total of six goals in all competitions.

And if we know Mourinho's style of management, he would argue the best is still to come from Terry. He tends to give players the confidence they need to improve as a player, and under the guidance of the inspirational coach, there's no doubt that the ex-West Ham trainee can make his name the first on the teamsheet again.

He has led Chelsea to three Premier League titles, two under Mourinho, and while his position may be under threat from the likes of David Luiz and Gary Cahill, Terry can use the upcoming campaign to prove why he is still one of the best defenders in Europe.

Terry has managed to obtain 13 winners medals in his 14-year career. Provided he can keep fit, the hunger to win his place back means he will be a key part of the club's title charge for the 2013-14 season as Chelsea look to dominate the Premier League once again.

The boos, the chants and the criticisms from the media will all be embraced by John Terry, simply because, if that happens, he knows he is back in business.