Major League Soccer take notice – Chelsea’s John Terry may be set to transfer from Stamford Bridge at the end of this season.
Last season Terry was regarded by many as one of the top defenders in the Premier League. Despite his age and history of injuries, the captain has experienced a renaissance during Jose Mourinho’s second stint at Chelsea manager, leading the west London club to the league cup and Premier League double.
However, that renaissance has come to a screeching halt as Chelsea looks to retain its title. Since coming back from his summer holiday John Terry has looked like a, well, 34 year old defender in a sport dominated by youth. His sudden downfall has been exasperated by the worst start Chelsea has had to a season since 1988.
In the season opener, John Terry struggled all afternoon dealing with the likes of Bafetimbi Gomis and Andre Ayew, resulting in a 2-2 draw at home to a confident Swansea City. That was followed by an important trip to the blue end of Manchester to face a City side with title aspirations. No one expected what happened next. John Terry and Chelsea were put on alert 19 seconds into the match as Sergio Aguero sped by the much slower defender to have a shot on goal, only to be saved by Asmir Begovic. Aguero wouldn’t be contained for long as Chelsea were thrashed 3-0 at the Etihad.
Nothing like a trip to the Midlands to face a Tony Pulis-coached West Brom team to rediscover your form, right JT? Wrong.
Once again Terry was outdone by the pace of a strong forward, this time Venezuelan Salomon Rondon. As a ball was played over the top, Terry could do nothing but bring down Rondon at the edge of the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to issue the captain a straight red card.
Terry’s sharp decline in form presents an awkward problem for Chelsea. He and Jose Mourinho have a father and son relationship. The two have been very public in their praise for one another over the years, with Mourinho even calling for Terry’s return to the England National Team despite an unceremonious exit. But right now, Mourinho knows Terry isn’t good enough to start for Chelsea. Supporters know it, too. Even Terry himself must know it, although he may never admit it. And, as Terry declines, the versatile, 20-year-old French international defender Kurt Zouma’s stock continues to rise. Mourinho left Terry on the bench for their Champions League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv and then followed that up with another 90 minutes watching from the sideline as Chelsea beat Arsenal, albeit controversially thanks to Diego Costa’s juvenile antics, 2-0 with goals from Zouma and Hazard.
John Terry offers some advice for the young Kurt Zouma, his potential replacement. (Photo: @DExpress_Sport | Twitter)
It’s no secret that Chelsea only offers 12-month contracts to players over 30 years old. So, will Mourinho be willing to part with his most trusted player? He may have to if John Terry can’t muster yet another resurgence. If that is the case, then Terry may be looking for work stateside next summer.
