Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho has described his partnership with captain John Terry as "like being two halves of the same whole".The Portugal defender has heaped praise on his fellow centre-half after the recent resumption of their partnership at the back saw them maintain their Premier League and Champions League title hopes.

And Carvalho has also revealed the off-the-field dedication shown by the Blues skipper in helping out his colleagues.

"In my first year here it was hard for me because I was at a new club, in a new country, in a new league and playing a much more physical kind of game than I was used to in Portugal," he said.

"JT recognised this straight away and was such a big help, on and off the pitch. He really made me feel comfortable. He is one of the best I've played with and a great leader too.

"He is stronger than me and likes to get in the air whereas I play more with the ball than him. But that is what makes us such a good partnership together.

"As a centre-back, whoever you are playing with, you have to know your partner very well and have an understanding.

"It's like being two halves of the same whole."

Carvalho continued in Chelsea magazine: "Instinctively, I have to know what he is going to do and he has to know what I'm going to do. The understanding between the two players is very important."

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