It is time for mind games, for the first psychological shots to be fired as a new campaign beckons, but John Terry has never been one to indulge in such subtleties. The Chelsea captain usually tells it as it is and, when he says that he and his team-mates want to win the Barclays Premier League above all else this season, he means it.

The Carling Cup, FA Cup and Champions League can take care of themselves. Chelsea are desperate to regain their league title from Manchester United, Terry believes, and there has been plenty of downtime on their recent five-match tour to China, Macau, Malaysia and Russia for the squad to reach its conclusion.

“We've had talks amongst ourselves and the Premier League is the one we're after,” Terry told Chelsea TV. “We want to get that back. Over the course of the season, to show that consistency and get it back off United would be fantastic.

“United have had two good years and you have to stand back and take your hat off to them, but we know we were good last year and we have another level to go to. Last year, I think we saw the very best of United, but we have got an awful lot more to come. We have got improvements to make, but I think United are at their peak.”

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Admittedly, the last comment could be construed as a not-so-subtle dig in the direction of Old Trafford, but Terry also cites the arrival as manager of Luiz Felipe Scolari, to replace Avram Grant, as another reason for increased confidence within the ranks. If Chelsea are to reclaim the title they won in 2005 and 2006, Scolari could provide the impetus needed.

“He understands football and he understands the lads,” Terry said. “Pre-season has been good. Actually, it has been very different. Under José [Mourinho], we never did any running, but, with Scolari, we have had our trainers on and done 1,000 metres, which is similar to the [Gianluca] Vialli and [Claudio] Ranieri style of thinking. And I feel great, I feel good. We are feeling good, we are looking good and we are preparing well.”

Terry hopes that the lessons of last season, from taking the runners-up places in the league, Champions League and Carling Cup, have been learnt. “Coming away without a trophy last season, for a club like ours, after the last four or five years, was very disappointing,” he said. “But I see something off the field, a togetherness that I've never seen among a group of players.

“When the chips were down - injuries, new manager, different things happening at the club - I saw the players come together, be open and speak to each other. I'll never forget that. I think that's taken us to another level of us being closer. With an awesome manager and great set of players combined, it could be fantastic.”

There was no greater illustration of Chelsea's team spirit than the way in which the players rallied round Frank Lampard after his mother, Pat, died from pneumonia in April. Six days later, Lampard scored a penalty at Stamford Bridge to help to defeat Liverpool 4-3 on aggregate in their Champions League semi-final.

“With everything that had happened, we wanted to be there for our mate,” Terry said. “We made sure that not only myself but everyone in and around the club was. It must have been an awful time for Frank.

“The penalty was unbelievable. I think we were all saying the same thing. 'Put it in for your mum, Lampsy.' After what he had been through, what a character to stand up and do that.”

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