Rio Ferdinand: 'I've not lost any admiration for John Terry as a footballer,' says former Manchester United man on Chelsea captain

Ferdinand has not spoke to Terry since the Anton Ferdinand racism incident

Rio Ferdinand has said that Chelsea captain John Terry has been "outstanding" for the Blues this season.

The two former England captains (above, pictured in 2006) do not speak because of the fall-out from Terry's racism case with Ferdinand's brother, Anton.

"But just because we no longer get on does not mean I've lost my admiration for him as a footballer.

"His performances for Chelsea this season have been nothing short of outstanding and I'm not afraid to say it. John took the decision to retire from playing for England and had his reasons, but Chelsea are reaping the benefits.

"John is finding, as I did, that the upside of being off the international scene is that your body gets the rest it needs which allows you to keep performing at top-level well into your 30s.

"As I said, me and John are not pals but then again I didn't like a lot of things about Luis Suarez either, especially when he was biting people."

Chelsea will win the fourth Premier League title of the Roman Abramovich era if they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday.