Nemanja Matic gives the lowdown on his Chelsea team-mates... when I don't know what to do with the ball I pass to Eden Hazard and we ALL listen to John Terry

By Charlie Skillen for MailOnline

Published: 05:05 EST, 10 July 2015 | Updated: 05:33 EST, 10 July 2015

The wizardry of Eden Hazard, the ferocious Diego Costa and the evergreen, ever-present John Terry may have grabbed the headlines, but it was Nemanja Matic who was the cornerstone of Chelsea’s romp to the title last season.

The fearsome Serbian’s brand of tough tackling, driving runs and metronomic passing provided a large dose of brawn to the brains of Cesc Fabregas, Hazard and Costa.

Matic is about to embark on pre-season training at the club he returned to 18 months ago after departing for Benfica in 2011 and is looking for a repeat of last year’s astonishing feats.

And as he gears up for the gruelling campaign ahead, Chelsea’s midfield engine gave Sportsmail the lowdown on some of his Stamford Bridge team-mates.

Nemanja Matic (left) and his Chelsea team-mates celebrate victory on their way to the title last season

Nemanja Matic (left) and his Chelsea team-mates celebrate victory on their way to the title last season

The Serbian defender raises a Blues scarf above his head during Chelsea's title winning celebrations

The Serbian defender raises a Blues scarf above his head during Chelsea's title winning celebrations

Matic provided the steel to supplement Chelsea's midfield after returning to the club from Benfica 

Matic provided the steel to supplement Chelsea's midfield after returning to the club from Benfica 

Matic on… John Terry

John is our legend. I’m not saying this because I play with him – he is the best defender in England in the last 20 years.

He is our captain, he’s been captain of teams that have won the league several times, and I have no idea how many cups he’s won!

John Terry (left) is a 'legend' whom everyone listens to in the dressing room, reveals Matic

John Terry (left) is a 'legend' whom everyone listens to in the dressing room, reveals Matic

If you have a leader like this and good players, results will come. If he sees something wrong on the pitch he always makes it right, but in a positive way and the young players like that.

He doesn’t actually speak that much in the dressing room, he only speaks when he needs to – and everybody listens.

Matic has formed an impressive deep midfield partnership with Spain's Cesc Fabregas (right)

Matic has formed an impressive deep midfield partnership with Spain's Cesc Fabregas (right)

MATIC STATS 2014/15 

Total appearances               36

Yellow/red card                   10/1

Average pass accuracy       86%

Average duels won              51%

Average defensive action    6

Total defensive errors          2

Shooting accuracy               43%

Matic on… Cesc Fabregas

We understand each other very well. He’s technically brilliant on the ball, he always has good ideas. My job is to make his job easier.

We need those assists and final balls from him, so me helping him is important. I try to do that well. If everyone does their job like they did last year, the result is being Champions.

I hope we continue like we did last season – and I think we will because Cesc is a great player and the ultimate professional.

Matic on… Diego Costa 

Everyone always asks me about Diego because of what he’s like on the pitch! He’s very aggressive when he plays.

It’s good to have players like that if you want to win championships. His goals were so important for us last season.

Diego Costa may be a handful on the pitch but is the 'nicest guy' when he is not competing, says Matic

Diego Costa may be a handful on the pitch but is the 'nicest guy' when he is not competing, says Matic

However, off the pitch he’s one of the nicest guys. He’s a great guy, that’s the most important thing for me – being the player that he is just an extra.

Matic on… Branislav Ivanovic

Branislav is a great person and a brilliant player. He plays right back but he has a very good feeling for the ball and he scores important goals for us as well.

The 26-year-old poses with fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic (left) after winning the Capital One Cup

The 26-year-old poses with fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic (left) after winning the Capital One Cup

His experience is very important for us. We have a lot of young players but people with more experience like John Terry and Branislav gives us confidence.

They know how to play big games – every team needs players like that.

Matic on… Eden Hazard

He was the best player in the league last season, he won the trophy for being the best and he deserved that. And he’s still so young! He can still improve.

Usually it’s a player from the champions that wins the best player and he was so good for us – scoring important goals and assisting others.

Matic admits he passes the ball to playmaker Eden Hazard (left) when he doesn't know what to do

Matic admits he passes the ball to playmaker Eden Hazard (left) when he doesn't know what to do

Whenever I don’t know what to do with the ball I just give it to Eden! He usually finds a way to create an opportunity.

He’s one of the best guys in our changing room – he’s got a great family, two kids with another one on the way.

NEMANJA MATIC Q&A 

How do Chelsea prepare to defend the Premier League title after winning so convincingly last year?

It’s hard because from the beginning everyone is going to be motivated against us and want to win against us. It will be more difficult for us, but that’s why we’re Chelsea – we know what we have to do.

What are Jose Mourinho’s pre-season sessions like?

Very hard! We do some running without the ball – but I like his pre-season. We played a lot of games last summer which was better than just fitness work, and this year we’re playing against some great opposition. It’s easier to prepare for the season.

Is this season’s goal to improve in the Champions League?

Chelsea need to play better in Europe, we know that. We didn’t do very well last year, even though we won the group. Whether we get to the semi-final or the final, I don’t know, but we have the quality to win. I’m ready, I’m sure my team-mates are too.

Matic admits Chelsea will miss Petr Cech but wishes him all the best following his move to Arsenal

Matic admits Chelsea will miss Petr Cech but wishes him all the best following his move to Arsenal

What do you make of Petr Cech’s move to Arsenal?

They’ve signed one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Petr Cech was at Chelsea for many years and every big trophy we’ve won is with him, so of course we’re going to miss him. Not only as a player, because he’s a great person. I wish him all the best – just not against Chelsea!

Do you think new signing Falcao can recover his form of old?

He’s a great player. I know he can come back to his quality from before, he just needs to believe in it. I’m sure he will be very important for us.

How does the Chelsea side now compare with the one you left in 2011?

When I was at Chelsea the first time, we had a great team as well. We won the league, we had some big name players, with more experience. The players then were older – last season most of our main players were the young ones. This Chelsea can still improve, we can still play better. Also, last season we won the league by eight points and in 2010 it was on the last day, so maybe we are better now!

Nemanja Matic was answering questions on Twitter using #AskMatic on behalf of Top Eleven, the leading online football management game. Visit www.topeleven.com to download the game 

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