There is more than one Chelsea player who can currently claim to be in the form of his life - be it Didier Drogba whose who has either scored or assisted 27 goals in his last 19 Premier League appearances, or Florent Malouda who has scored with each of his four shots attempted this season - but one man on top of his game it is easy to overlook is Alex, whose excellence at the back has helped restrict our opposition to just seven shots on target in three games this season (consider we have scored 14 goals in that time).
For much of his Chelsea career the Brazilian has played back-up to the John Terry - Ricardo Carvalho partnership, but with injury problems limiting the Portuguese's game time prior to this summer's Real Madrid transfer, Alex has stepped in and made the position his own.
'I feel very good in this moment, it is not just me, all the defence, all the team is important,' he commented, in typically modest fashion. 'John Mikel Obi is very good, every game he is doing a fantastic job and is helping me and John Terry, and Paulo and Ashley.'
Cole, Terry and Ferreira have also contributed further forward with assists in the opening three games. The captain's tendency to move forward on the ball leaves his partner as the last line of defence.
'It is strange!' laughs the man who grew up admiring the attacking talents of Romario and Bebeto. 'Sometimes I need to tell Obi to stay back, if there is time to speak on the pitch, sometimes I have to cover on the left side and Paulo or Ivanovic will have to close the space. It is good for us that JT and Ashley can work like this, it is very good for Chelsea.'
Seven league games have passed since we last conceded a goal, and the defender admits immense satisfaction at this current run, but is eager to see it continue past the weekend's fixture against West Ham.
'I think at PSV we did 10 games, during 2004/05, with Gomes from Tottenham in goal, but this is a different league and it makes me more proud in the Premier League,' he said.
On paper it should be straightforward against the league's bottom side, though trips to Upton Park are rarely easy, as Alex has learned to appreciate during his three years as a Londoner.
'In the last game against Stoke we played so so, but we won 2-0. West Ham I know they are bottom, but on the pitch it is different and we have to play well,' said the 28-year-old. 'We have to start the game strong, they have a difficult position and we have to attack, attack, attack in the first 15 minutes and try to score.
'We have the big game against Manchester City away near the end of this month, and that is a big test on the pitch for us. If we win our games until then, we will have a chance to win there and to play well, and maintain our place on top.'
For much of his Chelsea career the Brazilian has played back-up to the John Terry - Ricardo Carvalho partnership, but with injury problems limiting the Portuguese's game time prior to this summer's Real Madrid transfer, Alex has stepped in and made the position his own.
'I feel very good in this moment, it is not just me, all the defence, all the team is important,' he commented, in typically modest fashion. 'John Mikel Obi is very good, every game he is doing a fantastic job and is helping me and John Terry, and Paulo and Ashley.'
Cole, Terry and Ferreira have also contributed further forward with assists in the opening three games. The captain's tendency to move forward on the ball leaves his partner as the last line of defence.
'It is strange!' laughs the man who grew up admiring the attacking talents of Romario and Bebeto. 'Sometimes I need to tell Obi to stay back, if there is time to speak on the pitch, sometimes I have to cover on the left side and Paulo or Ivanovic will have to close the space. It is good for us that JT and Ashley can work like this, it is very good for Chelsea.'
Seven league games have passed since we last conceded a goal, and the defender admits immense satisfaction at this current run, but is eager to see it continue past the weekend's fixture against West Ham.
'I think at PSV we did 10 games, during 2004/05, with Gomes from Tottenham in goal, but this is a different league and it makes me more proud in the Premier League,' he said.
On paper it should be straightforward against the league's bottom side, though trips to Upton Park are rarely easy, as Alex has learned to appreciate during his three years as a Londoner.
'In the last game against Stoke we played so so, but we won 2-0. West Ham I know they are bottom, but on the pitch it is different and we have to play well,' said the 28-year-old. 'We have to start the game strong, they have a difficult position and we have to attack, attack, attack in the first 15 minutes and try to score.
'We have the big game against Manchester City away near the end of this month, and that is a big test on the pitch for us. If we win our games until then, we will have a chance to win there and to play well, and maintain our place on top.'
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