John Terry exhibits the loyalty and partnership with Chelsea that Diego Costa lacks

The events of the last week at Chelsea and West Ham further demonstrate how important John Terry is to the Blues and to football in general. Clubs should seek more players like him and fewer that would imitate Diego Costa and Dimitri Payet.

John Terry sets an almost unmatchable standard for club loyalty at Chelsea. Few players have the opportunity to play their entire senior career at the same club where they matured through the academy ranks. Terry’s progression and continuity is such a rarity that players should barely aspire to it, let alone expect it.

While one-club loyalty is often beyond the player’s control, loyalty to the club is the mark of a professional. Chelsea’s recent situation with Diego Costa and West Ham’s ongoing stand-off with Dimitri Payet reveal an appalling lack of professionalism by these star players.

"Once you have signed for a club you are expected to give your all for it. You are being handsomely rewarded. You have agreed to do this. You should see it out properly. That means saying the right things, acting properly, taking care of yourself and not speaking to other clubs. You have given your word essentially that you will give your all for that club and what it means. – Barrett Rouen, The Blue Lions"

Over the course of his career, John Terry and Chelsea formed a two-way relationship. They were partners in football, and every aspect of the club was better for it.

Last year at this time, Chelsea and John Terry appeared to be parting ways at the end of the 2015/16 season. In the end, Terry accepted a one-year “reduced role” contract. Terry was willing to play less and transition to his managerial career in order to stay at Chelsea. The Blues, for their part, recognized the value that John Terry provides even if he is not on the back-line.

"Club loyalty extends things. Take John Terry. Chelsea have loyalty to him, just as he does to the club. John Terry, if he is not at Chelsea, he should be in China or in America playing a very different level of football. It is a partnership between a player and a club and too often now we see players taking advantage of that."

Diego Costa and Dimitri Payet, on the other hand, could not even fulfill the terms of their contract. Both players sought an escape from their duties, which go beyond playing football.

Chelsea, West Ham and clubs worldwide should strive to develop more players like John Terry. Even from the most crass business perspective, player loyalty produces a hefty a return to the bottom line in terms of ticket sales, merchandise sales and fan engagement.

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Loyal players make for happy fans, and happy fans show their appreciation with their wallets. Keeping John Terry at Stamford Bridge has been a good piece of business as well as good footballing. The costs of Costa increase with every outburst.