Why Nemanja Matic Is the Difference for Chelsea in the Premier League Title Race

Chelsea could afford to be all laughs after their 2-0 win over Stoke City on Monday night and John Terry was leading the celebrations.

Speaking live to the Sky Sports Monday Night Football studio, he was asked by Gary Neville what he and Gary Cahill will be giving Nemanja Matic for Christmas after another sublime performance from the Serbian.

"Something very nice, I think," the Chelsea captain joked.

"He's been different class. When Gaz and I have got [Matic] in front of us, he's different class. He breaks the play up, he goes on those bursts as well. He's got a great burst of speed in him and he opens up defences.

"To have him there [is vital], because he sits there and wins every header, every tackle. He breaks up the play when we get caught on the counter. He's been a revelation for us this year."

If the Premier League title was decided at Christmas, Chelsea players would need to give Matic far more than "something very nice."

Why? Because he's the player who is going to deliver it come May.

Others will score the goals and take the acclaim, but Chelsea's not-so-secret weapon is Matic. He gives them stability, shape and the most vital aspect of all, insurance.

On Christmas Day last season, Chelsea were fourth in the table on 34 points. They had conceded 18 goals and lost three games, one of which had come away to Stoke.

The signing of Matic from Benfica was still a month away.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

After victory against the Potters this week, Chelsea are clear at the top. They're eight points better off than 12 months ago and have conceded just 13 goals.

The one game they have lost in the league is the one game Matic was absent, serving a one-match suspension against Newcastle United.

Mourinho's side have the best record in England's top flight: the most wins, fewest defeats, most goals scored, least goals conceded.

Matic is a significant part of that.

Pos.	P	W	L	D	F	A	Pts
4th	17	10	3	4	32	18	34

For Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, Manchester City have David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure in return.

What they don't have is a Matic. In fact, nobody in the Premier League has a player to match his qualities.

In little under a year he has made the midfield pivot his own. It's the area he operates and if a team wants to get the better of Chelsea, they need to combat Matic.

To date, few have.

Pos.	P	W	L	D	F	A	Pts
1st	17	13	1	3	38	13	42

Jose Mourinho deserves plenty of credit for his recruitment policy since returning to Chelsea.

The club has waited a year to get back on top and lead the way with him in charge, but with patience and a strategy in place, they're now reaping the rewards.

The turnover of players has been significant, yet in their place better, more talented signings have been made.

Liverpool lost Luis Suarez last summer and to fill the void left by the Uruguayan, Brendan Rodgers has bought in bulk. It's been quantity over quality and the Reds have suffered severely.

Despite over £100 million worth of investment, they are a shadow of the team we saw last season. There isn't a balance.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

A year earlier, Tottenham Hotspur did the same with the funds from Gareth Bale's sale to Real Madrid.

Rather than strengthen their clubs, the transfer policies at Spurs and Liverpool have had the opposite effect.

Mourinho wasn't embarrassed to right the wrongs of Matic's initial transfer to Benfica in January 2011.

The 26-year-old was a £3 million makeweight in David Luiz's transfer to Stamford Bridge, leaving Chelsea to incur an £18 million net loss when they re-signed this year.

Mourinho knew it was worth it, though.

What Chelsea have now is presence—something they have lacked significantly in recent years. Matic has brought order, reinstalling the steel in midfield that had gradually eroded since Claude Makelele left the club.

Throughout this Chelsea team is strength, but nowhere is it more represented than in midfield, the Matic Zone.

That's where titles are won and lost. It's where Matic is proving the difference.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes