Chelsea Captain Terry Hails Fabregas Arrival and Mourinho's Attractive Style

John Terry has claimed Chelsea play attractive football – after Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini accused Jose Mourinho of playing like a small club during Sunday's 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Pellegrini described the match as an encounter between "one big team playing as a big team [and] one big team playing as a small team, like Stoke.

"Ten players defended their own half, they scored a counter attack and they continue to defend until the end," the City manager continued.

Terry has now refuted the Chilean's accusations, claiming Chelsea have always played nice football and even more so this season after the arrival of Cesc Fabregas.

''We have always wanted to play through the midfield, that has not changed. It was the same when Lamps was here. We want to play attractive football," Terry told Sky Sports.

"Obviously Cesc is a world class player. To have someone so influential from the Spain squad, along with Diego Costa, has been great.

"When we are playing out from defence, he can help us keep the ball. He is associated with tiki-taka, but at Chelsea we have always played this way; pass the ball, control games, and give ourselves more options going forward."

Nevertheless, with Fabregas orchestrating Mourinho's new midfield, Chelsea have already scored 16 goals in just five Premier League games – while conceding seven to lead the table.

''You can see the qualities Cesc brings to the pitch – he can find passes that others can't. He keeps the ball really well, and he helps us control games" Terry said.

''He's certainly added to the squad, and that's why we are stronger now in the department.''

Having played eight seasons at Arsenal before moving to Barcelona, Fabregas has needed no time to adapt to the Premier League pace and Terry hopes the Spaniard will bring Chelsea much more success in the future.

''Obviously we were always competitive when we played against each other, and we had a little laugh about that. But that's what football is all about – the rivalry," Terry said about Fabregas's time in North London.

''But now he is one of us; part of the Chelsea family, and he is playing great. In the short time he has been here, he has made a big impression.He has a long contract, and we all hope he can bring great success to Chelsea for years to come.''