CHELSEA won the Premier League on Sunday and just like the table suggests, they have been the best team since day one.

They had an amazing six players in the PFA team of the year, including the player of the year Eden Hazard.

The Belgian has been unbelievable this season and has been the difference between teams in so many big games this campaign.

But I believe there has been another massive factor this season which has given Chelsea the edge at crucial times.

I ’m not thinking of the mastermind of a manager in Jose Mourinho, it’s a player who would have got my vote for player of the year.

There are lot of candidates in the Chelsea team who have had outstanding seasons including Cesc Fabregas, Branislav Ivanovic, Thibaut Courtois and Diego Costa.

That shows how strong the season has been for the Blues, but my pick as player of the season would go elsewhere.

Instead, I would go for the captain, John Terry.

He has been so consistent this season and defied those critics who suggested he was past his best.

He has got his game to a level where every game he is usually a nine out of ten and is near flawless in his performances.

Now, I understand that JT has lost a lot of admirers through his off the field behaviour.

I don’t agree with some of his behaviour, nor would I try to defend him, but here I am only judging him on football.

On the pitch he has got it right, very rarely making a mistake, and as a fellow defender I am in awe when watching his performances.

One of the reasons I admire his displays is that he has done it consistently game after game, week after week and season after season for 15 years.

Just like former Tottenham and England striker Teddy Sheringham, JT is not blessed with lightning pace, but his speed of thought and footballing IQ makes sure he never gets exposed.

It also appears he has a renewed sense of determination and it seems with every performance he is saying to everyone that he will leave when he is ready and on his terms.

When I was a young pro at Stamford Bridge, JT was an apprentice coming through the ranks.

He was a quiet lad, but with a will to learn and get better.

In training he would take no prisoners, much like now.

It didn’t bother him if you were a young pro or an international superstar, he would go and win the ball.

He had this desire to do well, but if I’m honest while I knew he would be a good defender, I didn’t see him having the career he has enjoyed.

There have been some great defenders over the years – Tony Adams, Jaap Stam, Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand to name just a select few.

But, in my opinion, John Terry stands on top of that elite pile of legends and is the best central defender in Premier League history.