John Terry has backed Manchester City to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.

During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “I’ve said Man City from the start.

“We [Aston Villa] played against them recently, and they are the kind of team that, no matter how you play, if they are on it, they can beat anyone in the league.

“I think they are the best team, they have the best individuals, and when they are at it they are by far the best team.

“They are showing that with their recent run that they are a threat. ‘When you play against them the movement is incredible and you really don’t know what to do.

“It’s one of those games where you come off and can only learn from it really, how well they move and the options they give each other on the pitch.

“They make it so difficult for the opposition team so they are the ones for me.”

Antonio Rudiger has insisted that he would have remained at Stamford Bridge regardless of Frank Lampard’s future at the club.

He told the Athletic: “Just to make this clear: I would have stayed at Chelsea no matter the name of the manager.

“I was not always happy about the results, but I felt that I’m still an important part of the squad. After a difficult situation for me around autumn last year my playing time increased a lot.

“There was no reason to look for a new challenge for me, as I feel comfortable at the club and in London.

“I don’t think we Germans have an advantage right now, just because our coach is German. As the coach has already said, we all have to prove ourselves now and no one can be sure that he has a position in the starting line-up.

“The first steps with him have been quite good, but there’s still a long way to go.”

Hakim Ziyech has revealed he loves playing as an inside forward as it provides him with freedom and a host opportunities.

The Moroccan told Chelsea’s official website: “It is a position where I love to play.

“Without the ball having your responsibility but with the ball being free and trying to find space and trying to play football. That is what I like the most.

“Get between the lines, find space, between the lines with the one or two touches.

“Especially in that position you have a lot of options because is the defender coming out, yes or no?

“If he is not coming you can turn around and find the striker or the left winger or the right winger in space. You have a lot of options.”

Christian Pulisic has revealed new Blues boss Thomas Tuchel intends to turn him into a false striker.

When asked about his new position, the American told the club’s official website: “It’s a kind of a false striker.

“It’s been good so far. We’ve got a new outlook on things, we have had a really good win so it’s been a positive start.

“It’s been some crazy times recently and just to get a win left all the guys in the changing room really excited.

“We have had a lot of fun in training and there are smiles on faces which is good to see.”

Chelsea reportedly turned down a bid from Barcelona for Marcos Alonso.

Spanish giants Barcelona were keen on striking a late transfer deadline day move for Chelsea defender.

It had been almost exactly four months since Alonso’s last taste of action, but the veteran wing-back showed no signs of rust as he fit smoothly into new head coach Thomas Tuchel’s 3-4-3.

Since head coach Thomas Tuchel was installed as the club’s new head coach last week, Alonso has been handed the opportunity to resurrect his career in west London.

The Spaniard started at left wing-back in Sunday’s victory over Burnley, which also saw him net the Blues’ second goal.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan club tried to acquire the left-back’s services on transfer deadline day.

But the west Londoners rejected the offer for the Spain international – who fell down the Stamford Bridge pecking order under former boss Frank Lampard – as they weren’t left with enough time to find a suitable replacement.

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has revealed he doesn’t expect Lionel Messi to pen a new deal at the Nou Camp.

He told The Athletic: “I’m not confident about that. I’m hopeful, yes, about this because he’s still a great player and he’s still winning matches for us, for the team.

“I’m enjoying being his coach, if you look at his qualities every day in the training sessions, it’s incredible.

“Of course, he came as a young kid to Barcelona. And I still don’t see Leo Messi in another shirt other than the Barca shirt.”

Christian Pulisic has opened up about his experience under Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel at old side Borussia Dortmund.

The American told the club’s website: “I remember making my debut under him and it was a really exciting time.

“I was playing in the youth team at Dortmund and then I got the call to say I was going to go up and train with the first team, and be a full first team member. It was really exciting.

‘I had to fight my way into that team because it was a very strong team, and being a young player I had to work extra hard.

‘The manager trusted in me and most importantly gave me chances to play, so I am grateful for that.

“He definitely helped me as a young player and I only have good memories of that time. We had some success at Dortmund together, and it’s been good to see him again and work with him once more.”

Chelsea and Aston Villa will wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to make Ross Barkley’s move permanent.

The 27-year-old was struggling for game time at Stamford Bridge and joined the Villans on a season-long loan in September.

Barkey started well under Dean Sith before a hamstring injury in November ruled him out but he was back with a bang with the winner against Southampton on Friday.

He has two years left on his deal in West London.

And BirminghamLive claims both the player and club are ‘happy to assess the situation’ at the end of the season.