Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has declared that John Terry is aware of the fight he faces for first-team football next season.

Terry helped Mourinho win two Premier League titles during his first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge, but struggled for a starting spot under interim manager Rafael Benitez last season.

Mourinho told Sky Sports News: "He's not safe, and he knows he's not safe. The only thing he knows is safe is our friendship, our relationship, but professionally, nobody's safe.

"I need to be honest with everybody and I think he appreciates that. We spoke about it and he understands perfectly. We used to say in Portugal: friends are friends, but business is 'apart'. This is kind of a business.

"In football, you have to prove yourself every day and every week. I trust him completely. I know he's a very good player, but he has to prove himself like everybody else."

The 32-year-old defender has just entered the final year of his current Chelsea contract.