John Terry defines selfless leadership at Chelsea
By George Perry
Just when you thought John Terry could not get any Bluer, he sat for an interview with former teammate William Gallas. Terry’s devotion to the club is nearly incomprehensible.
In the French sports version of “Between Two Ferns,” William Gallas interviewed John Terry for SFR Sport. The interview revealed the depth of John Terry’s passion and commitment for the only club he has ever known. Not that such commitment was ever in doubt but, well, let’s take a look.
Terry made his deepest admission as he and Gallas talked about Chelsea’s recent undefeated run.
"Honestly, in the best possible way and I know it’s going to sound crazy to people watching, but if i don’t get back into the team it means Chelsea are winning. At the minute we’re not conceding goals and possibly means we’re going to win the league. – quoted in Metro"
Quick poll: does that sound crazy? Or is it a throwback to an era many of us never knew, when loyalty ran deeper than a contract players shared in the club the same way fans do?
Terry once again shows the introspection and objectivity necessary for a veteran leader. He knows that, even at his prime, he would struggle to fit in to a 3-4-3 set up built around speed, intensity and a high press. If Chelsea were still in a four-man back-line that sat deep and defended physically, Terry would still be fighting Gary Cahill and David Luiz for a starting XI spot. But now he can only look at those two and admit they are doing things he currently can not.
Must Read: Tottenham game saw the evolution of Chelsea's 3-4-3
Terry already reinvented himself once for the 2014/15 season. Going into that campaign, the conventional wisdom held that Terry was over the hill and on his way out. Instead, Terry led the Blues on and off the pitch to a Premier League title.
John Terry surely has the will to do what he must at Cobham to return to the pitch at Stamford Bridge. But Father Time has a say in such matters, as well, and he’s always granted JT one major reprieve.
On the subject of fathers, Terry spoke about his daughter playing in Chelsea’s academy. The literal and figurative Chelsea-Terry family will surely factor in to John Terry’s upcoming contract negotiations. His daughter is one more tie to the Academy that Terry will not want to break – even temporarily – to finish his career elsewhere.
Steve Holland’s potential end-of-season departure to join Gareth Southgate’s England squad full-time may help Terry stay at Chelsea. The club looks to both Holland and Terry for continuity and stability, and may be loathe to lose both at the same time.
John Terry continues to inspire this and future generations of Chelsea fans and aspiring footballers. Even if he must depart at the end of this season for Major League Soccer, he will surely return very soon to his rightful place.