Captain. Leader. Legend. The banner unfurls every match-day at Stamford Bridge and speaks for the greatness and stature of English and Chelsea legend John Terry. He is arguably Chelsea’s Greatest player and also one of Premier’s greatest to step up on the pitch since it’s inception. John Terry divides opinions like no other player but either you love him or you despise him, you just can’t question his greatness.
His trophy laden career has spanned over 18 years, he signed up for Chelsea as a 14 year old kid. He has seen Chelsea become the club they’re today, and like a fine wine he has being getting better with his age. His contribution his Chelsea last title triumph was immense as well.
From his debut as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Southampton in 1998 to his recent start, Terry has made well over 470+ Premier League appearances.
There are various factors that define his greatness but the fact that he has played under 10 different managers and has been written off more than once, always stands out. In 2013, Rafa Benitez even said that Terry has to get used to of the bench but the way he rose up against his age and doubters to help Chelsea win their 5th League title by playing every minute of the season is really the stuff of greatness.
John Terry owns the record of most clean sheets in Premier league, 200+ which is much more than any other defender to have stepped out in Premier league. He’s also the highest goal scoring defender in the league with 40 goals.
He’s been named UEFA defender of the year 3 times in 2005, 2008 and 2009. PFA player’s player of the year in 2005 and nominated 5 consecutive time FIFAPro World XI from 2005-09. He was also named in the all star squad for the 2005 FIFA World Cup, only English defender to feature in it.
His quality and loyalty earned him the place among the pantheon of greats. But his longevity and consistency has stood him out and put him in his class of his own.
The key to Terry’s enduring success is his dedication to the fundamentals. Marcel Desailly, the World Cup winner who acted as mentor from Terry’s senior Chelsea debut in 1998 to the passing of the armband in 2004, recalls a confident but inquisitive young charge who subjected him to a barrage of questions on tactics and positioning.
Jamie Carragher, one of Premier League’s greatest defenders and Liverpool legend in his own right, said “There have been a lot of great centre-backs in Premier League history, but I think he has been the best that we’ve seen,” he told Sky Sportslast month. “For the next 20 or 30 years, that position at the near post, when we see other defenders doing it, we’ll call it ‘the John Terry position’.
There are very few defenders in the Premier league and in world football who have been so influential and hardly anyone for so so long. As he’s growing well into his 30s, his longevity will always keep him apart.
