Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that he expected John Terry to be a bit-part player when he rejoined the club in 2013.
The Portuguese also revealed that he only allowed Terry to see out the last year of his contract as a mark of respect.
The club captain has exceeded Mourinho's expectations this season, playing every minute in Chelsea's Premier League-winning campaign.
"I think he knows that, without me, he probably wouldn't be at Chelsea in this moment. Because, probably, with another manager he wouldn't play. And without playing, he wouldn't have another contract," Mourinho told The Mirror.
"I didn't think Terry had this much to give. I thought he was over, I thought he was in trouble, because for the previous two years he hadn't played two or three consecutive matches."
Terry has played for Chelsea throughout his career, racking up 668 appearances for the club. He has won 16 trophies at Stamford Bridge, including four Premier League titles and one Champions League triumph.
Jonathan McIntosh
