Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic says he's a better player for his time away at Benfica.
Matic, who returned in January, was sent to the Portuguese giants in the deal that brought David Luiz to Stamford Bridge in 2011.
"Maybe if I stayed at Chelsea, I don't play like I do now - maybe I play better, maybe I play worse, you never know. But, for me, in that moment it was good to go and play.
"I learned a lot at Benfica, which is one of the biggest clubs in the world; not only how to play that central-midfield position, but I learned to play with pressure.
"There is a lot of that at the club, just like there is at Chelsea, and it was good for me to go.
"Now it is very nice to be back. It's a pleasure to be part of this team and to work with these players and coaches. All the people have been helping me since I came back and I'm very happy."
