Blue is the colour and 26 was the number as Chelsea gave John Terry a storybook send-off. For attention-seeking busy-bodies, though, storybooks make for poor hot takes.
Antonio Conte’s attention to detail has been a major source of Chelsea’s success this season. Many players have spoken about the hours of video review, walk-throughs and repetition until they master every move to Conte’s precise level of satisfaction.
Conte evidently took the same approach to John Terry’s farewell game. The manager hinted at a “surprise” during Friday’s press conference. Naming Terry to the starting XI seemed to be the extent of the surprise. Given Terry’s struggles against Watford, Conte’s desire to win a record-setting 30th game and the importance of match sharpness ahead of the FA Cup final, Terry seemed in line for at most a substitute appearance.
Only in the 24th minute when Gary Cahill doffed his warm-up kit on the touchline did the plan come into focus. Once the clock turned to the 26th minute, Chelsea scrambled to put the ball out of play. Willian ultimately directed Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford to boot the ball over the touchline.
Terry then hugged his away around the pitch before walking off under a guard of honour from his teammates. As Chelsea paraded their trophy and winners’ medals, Terry captivated Stamford Bridge. Ever the club man, he first called everyone’s attention to Steve Holland. He then thanked everyone for their support over 20 years.
"Thank you will never ever be enough, but I’ll tell you what: I’ll be back here one day. I’m going to be supporting the players and the club from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much, I love you all. – Chelsea FC"
After the game, word came out that John Terry proposed the 26th minute substitution to Antonio Conte, who agreed to the plan. David Moyes acknowledged that Sunderland were in on the choreography.
In the latest incident of #banter overriding common sense, the Twitter-verse and punditocracy weighed in with #takes ranging from allegations of match-fixing to “this isn’t Hollywood” to, well, whatever this is.
John Terry's hubris summed up perfectly in a self-arranged farewell: a player so determined to enhance his status he ends up diminishing it.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) May 21, 2017
Say goodbye/pay tribute during & after game, but during it demeans the contest and opposition. Can't imagine Fergie doing it at Utd.
— Matt Hughes (@MattHughesDM) May 21, 2017
Chelsea and Sunderland could face a nominal, pro forma fine for “bringing the game into disrepute.” Or, perhaps, collusion or some other trumped up charge. Chelsea may easily pay the Black Cats’ fine to spare them the expense from their parachute payment.
John Terry’s early career had its share of scandal and controversy. He grew out of that stage as he grew into an understanding of leadership, his potential and what he had come to mean for club and country. The circumstances under which he relinquished England’s captaincy were some he would never want to relive, nor tarnish Chelsea in a similar way.
John Terry has never tried to deny his past, but some are quick to always hang it about his neck. For some, he is inseparable from his scandaled past and Chelsea are a plastic club. That appears to justify – or at least explain – distorted perspectives on the day. The notable aspects of Chelsea’s season – the title, the record-setting 30 wins, that it was Antonio Conte’s first season – have received second billing in recent weeks. Deep dives into John Terry’s psyche and Chelsea’s professionalism are the latest in that descent.
Next: Chelsea win Premier League, Tottenham nab pointless consolation prizes
Let them have their #bantz. John Terry will be at home with another trophy – maybe two – from his illustrious career at Chelsea.