Terry : end of days?

[teignman 441]

I started really noticing JT lost several steps last season after he returned from dealing with his back issues. Ever since, he's looked extremely rigid when he's moving. He's never been the swiftest or most fluid player, but his physical decline is showing.

[termninja 5,290]

He's past his prime like Lamps and big D but he's still a good defender. Problem is the highline...but yeah, the prob with Terry is that he is a name too big to drop and it's strange to me to look at our defense and don't see him there with his armband.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

John Terry gave our defence, for the last 11 years, a strong leader. Before him Desailly did this job, very effectively. In fact John often credits Marcel for that experience and education, not only did he teach him to be a defensive leader, but a captain.

The same should be happening now. But who's ready to step-up? Now you all see why we're going for Gary Cahill (who might not be the right choice - but the principle of why he's a target is obvious). Ivanovic at CB is a big no for me because he's a better RB. Alex is being forgotten and tbh, I see him being sold this Jan to Juventus or whoever's interested no.w

[chrismada9 1,948]

The same should be happening now. But who's ready to step-up?

There's something about Ivanovic that tells me, he's a proven candidate to take over from Terry!

[eldo 868]

Yep. I'm sure he won't play on Wednesday anyway, but probably on Saturday v. Wolves.

Looks like Bruma started to play well.

It's not Terry who needs to be dropped! It's who plays alongside him at the back that affects the way he plays! Alex is probably the best partner for Terry because the two of them even each other out, even Gary Neville saw that... and I have to say, much as I hate looking at his face, he does talk a lot of sense!

Luiz, yes, he seems like a Carvalho-esque player (and by that I mean, the role of a sweeper), but he really needs to control his temper sometimes and just get on with it, even when you're wound up during a game, it can affect your performance mentally, or even worse, get you sent off

Was't DL one of the best Chelsea players tonight?

We paid so much for him, he needs to be our first choice.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

There's something about Ivanovic that tells me, he's a proven candidate to take over from Terry!

When John became captain he was 23, Ranieri handed him this armband & Mourinho kept him on. They both realised who John's an icon, the only player in recent times to come through the academy, thus, embodying the spirit of the club.

That could've been Josh

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Looks like Bruma started to play well.

Good to hear, but who knows if he's even coming back. I must admit, I'm highly doubting the club holds a future for him..

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

He can't play the High-line system. It's pretty clear to me that Ivanovic is the most solid defender we got (who can play the system). Yet, we haven't got the players to play the high-line so it does puzzle me why we continue to use it. Fair enough experimenting in the Carling Cup, FA and maybe some games in the EPL against the "smaller teams" but - to play it against Liverpool, Arsenal, City, United etc. will just leak goals left right center. We either need to revert, adapt quicker or wait till the next transfer window - ideally it's too adapt, and actually play like AVB would want but is it worth it.

[DYC. 7,542]

In the period 2004-2008 Terry was excellent but since then, he hasn't been the same and has become inconsistent. He's still a good defender though but needs to be replaced as we lack a world-class CB, something every big side needs.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

I will only say this - he seems to be playing really shit as soon as the high line was introduced.

[Amblève. 4,995]

Our defense needs Terry, he has been our #1 CB, leader, captain for the last years but AVB has to play with the normal line of defending if he wants Terry to be a part of our defense because there's no sense in playing a system that doesn't suit to the defender who is considered to be our best CB. If that's changed I really believe that Terry would produce less mistakes. To answer the threads question: No, it's not the end of Terry's days but he's past his prime.

[Henrique 9,133]

I agree that Terry is not the same that he was years ago, but I think he is suffering under ABV "tactics", he is decent enough to still be a starting XI while we keep a strong defence.

It comes to my post in another topic, we cant change out playing style if we dont chance our players. Since our player are almost the same as it was last season, it doesnt make sense trying to make a revolution.

[Makaveli 59]

He lost a bit of his quality but that's something none can stop. JT still is very useful and that will remain for next 4 years. The problem is more in our defending style. AVB really needs to do something with this. We do not have players with so much speed and agility as AVB needs for his system. In Porto it worked, but in PL it's self-killing to have four 'David Luiz' types of CB. System needs change, not players. JT the king.

[ChelseaChick 430]

Ah it actually upsets me to say hes past it but its kinda true. He's not as quick anymore and I think if hes playing poorly he should only get half a game. You'll never find a leader like him though. Legend.

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

I agree Terry is not as good as he once were but he is certainly not past it!

Its the high defense line that does not suit JT's play style!