John Terry closes a defining era for Chelsea and English football
John Terry defined an era for Chelsea and English football. His retirement brings that period – as well as his career – to a close.
When I played football I wanted to be John Terry. I played center back and was a Chelsea supporter, and he was the man. He wore 26, so I wore 26 (that, and someone else already had 13, but hey, double it).
Chelsea and Jose Mourinho were all-conquering at the time. John Terry was the leader who personified everything Chelsea supporters came to love about that revolutionary period. He was bold, brash and turned the tables on Manchester United and Arsenal, who infuriatingly felt some right to the throne of English football.
Those Chelsea sides were indisputably good for football. They increased interest in the league and broke the boring duopoly between the traditional giants.
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John Terry was, for a period of time, the best defender in the world. He was miles better than Rio Ferdinand (an almost insulting comparison) and Carles Puyol. Fabio Cannavaro came closest to measuring up to Terry.
Terry’s partnership with Ricardo Carvalho – a mentor from whom he learned immeasurably – was a defensive pairing to marvel at. He was classy on the ball, with a range of passing that allowed him simply to ping balls forward a tangible offensive plan. He was part of the steel spine of the Chelsea team that conquered the Premier League with aplomb in the early 2000’s.
I once went to see Chelsea play against Arsenal in the Carling Cup final. Terry literally was knocked unconscious and taken off on a stretcher. But he still returned to celebrate the victory.
Unfortunately, as time went on, things changed. John Terry withstood – like only he could – more awful scandals than even some American politicians. All that time Chelsea stood by him and so did Chelsea supporters. My own faith waned, admittedly. Now, at the end of it, we are left wondering how to pull it all together.
John Terry is the best defender of the Premier League era. He is also one of the most flawed men I have ever witnessed. His career was marvelous. For Terry and Chelsea to move forward into a new era all this must come to an end.
Chelsea are no longer fighting for credibility or acceptance as a big club. Chelsea are a big club now. The literal Pride of London. Sorry, Arsenal, but your featherweight status in Europe holds you back.
John Terry, his pomp and attitude was the man for Jose Mourinho’s time, the fighting time. That age is over and Terry now hangs up the shield. He carried it proudly and achieved a lot. But, perhaps as perfectly as he stopped every great striker in Europe during his prime, this is also the perfect time to retire.
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Thank you for your service, John Terry, and farewell.