John Terry has stated his goal of becoming the 2nd-highest appearance maker for Chelsea. The Blues skipper has set his sights on at least 80 more games to pass legend Peter Bonetti. Terry played his 649th game for the Blues against Swansea and in doing so surpassed Frank Lampard to move third on the appearance list. He went on to play his 650th against Liverpool in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.
“You know I’m delighted to go above Lamps and be third,” he said. “I think the other two are going to take some doing to catch Chopper (Harris – 795 apps) and Peter Bonetti (729 apps). “Delighted with where I am at the moment. Listen – I’m looking to improve upon that and keeping going.”
It’s an amazing feat for the 34-year-old to get to this point as it seemed he was on his way out just two seasons ago.
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John Terry’s Chelsea career was on the line under previous manager Rafa Benitez but has a new lease on life under Jose Mourinho. The skipper needs 146 more appearances to surpass Harris to become the highest appearance maker, which translates to approximately three-and-a-half seasons. The former England captain has won almost every trophy possible in a blue shirt but has certainly missed out on several major occasions.
Terry was absent for Chelsea’s biggest night in Munich for the Champions League final in 2012 due to a suspension but seems set to make a strong run at rectifying it this season. He also missed the Europa League final twelve months later. The last two campaigns has seen John Terry re-energized, and under Mourinho’s tutelage he has proven to be still one of the best defenders in England. Under the Portuguese, Terry has changed his style of play from a barnstorming player who covers a vast area of the park to more of a cerebral defender.
“Delighted with where I am at the moment. Listen – I’m looking to improve upon that and keeping going.”- Terry
He has taken on the ‘sweeper’ role while Mourinho has taken full advantage of his skipper’s great ability to read and anticipate the game. Fully aware of his age Mourinho has learnt to utilize John Terry’s skills effectively and in turn the defender has been magnificent. His next appearance is set to be midweek to lead the Blues at Anfield for the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final.
With the imminent departure of longstanding captain Steven Gerrard at the end of the season Liverpool will see the League and FA Cups as opportunities to send their captain off with a trophy. The Chelsea skipper remains wary of Liverpool despite the 17-point gap on the Premier League ladder.
“It’s going to be a tough place,” he said. “I think Studge (Daniel Sturridge) is back, (Raheem) Sterling looks like he’s back as well. “And they proved, when we went up there in the league, that it’s a tough game. Forget form and where they are and everything else, it goes out the window – Chelsea/Liverpool. “It’s going to be tough, and I just hope that over the two legs we’re strong enough.”