Alex feels he's playing his best football since arriving at Chelsea.

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 told chelseafc.com. "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."