ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUEJOHN TERRY issued a bold statement of intent ahead of the new season last night by suggesting that Manchester United have already peaked whereas Chelsea can step up another level to regain the Premier League trophy.

The England defender's claim came after Alex Ferguson insisted last month that the majority of the Londoners' squad had reached an age where they were unlikely to improve.

The United manager went on to compare Chelsea's current crop over the weekend to the 1989 Liverpool team, a side on the brink of a downturn. Although Luiz Feilpe Scolari has refused to respond to Ferguson, Terry has now offered his timely interpretation of the leading contenders' chances.

Asked whether he thought Ferguson's comments had been prompted by concern at the challenge Chelsea might offer, the 27-year-old responded: "I think he realises we weren't too far away from them when they were playing at the very top of their game. I don't think they've got another level to go to.

"They've had a lot of players in their team who have hit the peak of their form in the last two years. Rio Ferdinand's been awesome in the last two years; Cristiano Ronaldo's been unbelievable - don't think we'll ever see that again. Rooney, Tevez, Giggs at his age, they've all been fantastic.

"With the injuries and stuff that has been going on at our place, we, as players, can all raise the bar a little bit and, with it being that close with us missing out by two points on the Premiership and in the Champions League final, I think they know that, every year, we're going to give them a right good run for their money.

"We will be stronger this year. Take nothing away from United - they've been at the very top of their game and have been unbelievable, so credit to them and Sir Alex Ferguson. But we've been very close to them and we've had injuries, changes of manager.

"We were a nearly team last year. We almost won the Carling Cup, almost won the Premiership, almost won the Champions League, but at the end of the day we weren't good enough. We need to raise the bar. We need to set ourselves big targets: to win the Premiership, win the FA Cup and get back to the final of the Champions League and win it. Those are the targets this year.

"It still hurts me to see pictures of United lifting the trophy at Wigan last season. We made that trophy ours when Mourinho first took over. We want it back, and that's what we're aiming for."

Terry has drawn huge encouragement from the appointment of Scolari as manager, and the signings of Deco and Jose Bosingwa who, he hopes, will offer Chelsea a new dimension. A new-found stability on and off the pitch, with Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba set to stay for the coming season at the very least, will also benefit the side.

"Frank and Didier know now they're at Chelsea and we've got to make it happen this year," he said.

"Hopefully things can get resolved with Frank with the contract as he's been our best player for the last four of five years and we want to keep him. But the manager has made some great signings, too. I never really realised how good Deco was until now but he's probably one of the best I've every played against or trained with.

"Scolari's a very experienced man, like Ferguson, and knows exactly what he's doing. I'm sure the manager's got a few tricks up his sleeve along the way. He's a quiet man and doesn't want to get involved in the mind games, and hopefully we can stop him getting involved by taking an early lead in the Premiership and leading the way."

Terry will discover in the build-up to next week's friendly against the Czech Republic whether he is to regain the England captaincy, ahead of Ferdinand. The centre-halves are the leading contenders for the role.

Terry wore the armband against the United States in May, but Ferdinand is considered favourite for the job, and Fabio Capello will announce his decision next Tuesday.

"Of course I want the England captaincy," said Terry. "I've been awfully lucky to get the armband in the past and those memories will stay with me forever. But it's one man making the big decision. He's taken his time and he'll make the right decision. Whoever he chooses I'll fully respect. If it's not me I'll walk up to the person, shake their hand and wish them well. England can move on from that point."

Guardian Service