It’s all gone a bit quiet on the John Terry front today – I still think we’ll know the full picture by the end of the week – but in the meantime there have been a couple of related articles in the papers, for example Matt Dickinson in the Times discussing the need for stability at Stamford Bridge and Stuart James of the Guardian suggesting Terry has had renewed talks with his agent over the potential move.
This brief pause in what was otherwise relentless gossip about the Chelsea captain’s future has given me time to think through the potential implications of Terry leaving a little more, and I’ve come up with a handy list of seven pros and seven cons. Have I missed anything?
Terry leaving: for
- The fee. Upwards of £35m for any central defender (let alone a 29 year old) is a lot of money – money that could be used to strengthen the team where it’s most needed
- Alex. The Brazilian centre-half developed into a fine defender last season and, as he is actually a player in the same vein as Terry, his presence might mean the captain’s departure wouldn’t be so impactful
- His head has been turned. It seems unlikely, but there is at least potential for his commitment on and off the pitch to have diminished if he stays
- Whilst clearly not yet a first team player, Terry leaving could mean more opportunities for Mancienne. Ivanovic might also get the chances his performances at the end of last season deserve
- We have a ready-made replacement captain waiting in the wings in the form of Frank Lampard
- Injuries. At his age and with his recent record of niggling injuries, Terry is certainly a declining asset. He claims he could play until he’s at least 35, but it seems unlikely. The money offered by Man City certainly doesn’t reflect his true value and he isn’t in his prime
- It’s arguable that Terry has too much influence at the club. Rumours from Makalele suggested Terry had a hand in Mourinho’s departure (seems unlikely) and the papers have claimed that Terry has been demanding certain signings – certainly not the way a club should be run. If indeed Terry is looking to hold the club to ransom over signings rather than wages, it might be that his power at Stamford Bridge has gone a little bit too far
Terry leaving: against
- Terry is the club’s most successful captain, and the core of both the team and the side as a whole. Technically he is still an excellent player and amongst the best in the world. Criticised for his lack of pace, his detractors fail to recognise how the rest of his game is of sufficient quality to compensate
- Leadership. More than an ordinary captain, Terry is one of a kind in the league. The relative success in 07/08 – in my eyes – can be at least partially attributed to Terry’s leadership and the little bit of Jose that the captain maintained. What is Terry’s role in bringing through youngsters such as Mancienne, and surely the loss of such an influential figure would have a huge impact of squad morale
- The likely loss of Carvalho. Can we really afford to lose our two best and most experienced defenders in one summer? Losing Terry and keeping a demotivated and injury-prone Ricky might be no better
- Chelsea have changed more managers than I’ve had Stamford Bridge hot dogs over the past six years (and that’s saying something). Add to that the loss of Steve Clarke, John Terry pretty much represents the club’s only chance for any form of real continuity
- In a world (created by Real Madrid) where standing still is the new going forward, it is imperative that we hang onto our best players
- Status in the game. Whatever club you are, it’s difficult not to flinch when someone offers you £40m. But Chelsea should have no desire to set a precedent for being a club that sells its best players
- Manchester City. I’m still convinced that it’s too early for them to be a threat to Chelsea this season (though football365 have them finishing third ahead of us – one good season and they think Liverpool are a great side. We’ll see). But Terry would be an acquisition that would help them pick up the pace in the search of a top four finish
All points both on the side of those for keeping John Terry and for selling him, that you made Russell are equally and fully valid. However if I was the Chelsea boss and I had to make the decision, it would depend if John Terry wanted to stay with our Chelsea and was still fully committed to our Chelsea as he always was in the past. If he answers yes, then no matter what the price I would never sell John Terry. But if he told me he wanted to leave and did not feel the same way and level for our Chelsea, then I would sell him as no matter the past, since he no longer loved Chelsea, he need no longer stay. But from what I have seen and heared I believe John Terry still loves our Chelsea and will stay with us. If he no longer loved our Chelsea and wanted to leave, no doubt he already would have as today the players can force any transfer they want.
Posted by: Anthony Calleja | 17 July 2009 at 08:10