Mock John Terry’s celebrations at your peril, but the truth is the Premier League may never see another defender of his ilk.
Terry hit the headlines on Sunday afternoon when he signed out of his Chelsea career by coming off after just 26 minutes, something that was later revealed as pre-planned, to a guard of honour by his team-mates.
Now, when you read that, it doesn’t sound too much, does it? Yet the wider public and fans of other Premier League clubs were distraught to see a player who had been at the club since he was just 14 years of age sign out after over 700 appearances in what has been a trophy-laden career at Stamford Bridge.
Amongst all the antics that unfolded, people had forgotten that the game was meaningless, to a degree. Chelsea had already secured the title, Sunderland were already destined for the Championship, so there was absolutely no sign of spot fixing or anything of the kind. If anything, Chelsea were under more pressure as they chased down a Premier League record of having the most wins in a season (30).
Not to mention the send off that Didier Drogba received when he bowed out for the second time at Stamford Bridge. He was an early substitution, also against Sunderland on the final day of the 2014-15 season. The striker was even lifted off the pitch by his team-mates, something that would have also had to have been planned, and require more effort and time to do such a thing!
Terry is the last of a dying breed of defenders, not only will he put his head in where it hurts for the cause, but the 36-year-old is still one of the most gifted technical defenders around.
Yesterday didn’t just represent the end of a career, it marked the end of an era at Chelsea. It was symbolic for so many reasons that many just wouldn’t understand. Terry had risen through the ranks at Chelsea. From scrubbing boots to playing with the likes of Marcel Desailly, all the way to Eden Hazard and co now.
The fact that his send off sparked such a controversy is almost fitting to the man’s career. He’s always had to fight against the odds, he’s always been up against it, but he’s always pulled through and become the leader and the legend he is known to be around Stamford Bridge.
Throughout his career, he has been made a target for other supporters, a scapegoat for a number of off the field incidents that have no relevance to his achievements that will never truly be appreciated.
He is the first captain to lead a club to five Premier League titles. He’s maintained his position as club captain and a figurehead within this Chelsea squad over the last decade despite Roman Abramovich’s riches.
The club could have spent £50-£60 million to replace him through the years, but there is no replacing him. The way he has been able to continue so late into his career at such a high level is only a huge testament to his abilities.
Speaking after the full-time whistle at the Bridge, an emotional Terry had nothing but praise for the Chelsea supporters.
“Lastly, you guys the fans, the best supporters in the world without a shadow of a doubt. You’ve given me everything from the age of 17 when I first started out. You picked me up when I was down, sung my name when I’ve had bad days and disappointed you as well,” said the club captain.
If you need any further proof about how Terry is viewed by his peers, you only need to listen or read the interviews of his current team-mates, all of whom cannot speak highly enough of the player and his achievements at the club.
But yet, because it’s Terry it was seen as acceptable to mock the celebrations that ensued at Stamford Bridge.
In an era where the Premier League football is dominated by money, during a time where the youngsters coming through the ranks face a continuous struggle to break into their respective first-team squads, Terry should be seen the icon to them, the benchmark, to show them that it can be done, because who knows if or when we’ll ever see someone of his ilk achieve the feats he has.
