John Terry

[DavidEU 2,023]

Terry made his Chelsea debut on 28 October 1998 as a late substitute in a League Cup tie with Aston Villa; his first start came later that season in an FA Cup third round match, a 2-0 win over Oldham Athletic. He spent a brief period on loan with Nottingham Forest in 2000 to build up his first team experience. While playing for Forest, Terry was spotted by then-Huddersfield Town manager Steve Bruce who bid £750,000 for the defender.

Chelsea reportedly accepted the offer, but it fell through as Terry opted to remain with the Premier League club and learn his trade in the top tier. In addition to his spell at Forest, he made nine appearances for Chelsea during the 1999-00 season, and scored his first goal for the club against Gillingham in the FA Cup 6th Round. The Blues went on to win the FA Cup, with Terry receiving a winners' medal as an unused substitute; his first major honour.

Terry began to establish himself in the Chelsea first team from the 2000-01 season, making 23 starts, and was voted the club's player of the year.

He continued his progress during 2001-02, becoming a regular in the defence alongside club captain and French international Marcel Desailly. On 5 December 2001 he captained Chelsea for the first time, in a league match against Charlton Athletic. Chelsea reached the FA Cup final, following wins against London rivals West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth and sixth rounds respectively, and Fulham in the semi-final where Terry scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory. A virus denied Terry a place in the starting line-up for the final, although he came on as a second-half substitute as Chelsea lost 2-0 to Arsenal. In the 2003-04 season, his performances led to him being handed the captain's armband by manager Claudio Ranieri when Desailly was out of the side. He played well in the absence of the French international, forming a strong defensive partnership with William Gallas.

Following Desailly's retirement, new Chelsea manager José Mourinho chose Terry as his club captain, a choice which was positive throughout the 2004-05 season as Chelsea won the Premier League title in record-breaking fashion with the best defensive record in Football League history with the most clean sheets and the most points accrued.

He was voted Player of the Year by his fellow professionals in England, the first defender to receive the honour since 1993. He also scored eight goals from defence in 53 appearances, half of which were in European competition, including a late winner against Barcelona, in the UEFA Champions League, and was voted the best defender in the competition for the season.

In September 2005, Terry was selected as a member of the World XI at the FIFPro awards. The team was chosen by a vote of professional footballers based in 40 countries. Chelsea defended their Premier League title in 2005-06, earning 91 points, and confirming the title with a 3-0 victory against Manchester United. Terry made 50 appearances and scored seven goals over the season, three of which were solitary goals in 1-0 victories.

2006-07

In a match on 14 October 2006 against Reading, Terry had to take over in goal for Chelsea after both of Chelsea's usual keepers, Petr Čech and Carlo Cudicini were injured in the game. He wore the number 40 shirt belonging to third-choice goalkeeper Henrique Hilário. The defender had to keep goal for little over a minute, and Chelsea hung on for a 1-0 victory. On 5 November 2006, playing against Tottenham Hotspur, Terry was sent off for the first time in his Chelsea career. He received two yellow cards as Chelsea lost at White Hart Lane for the first time since 1987. Terry was charged with misconduct by the FA for questioning the integrity of match referee Graham Poll after the game. On 10 January 2007, John Terry was ordered to pay £10,000 for the inappropriate conduct after he changed his mind and pleaded guilty to the FA.

Over the course of the season Terry missed matches for Chelsea due to a recurring back problem. After the match against Reading on 26 December 2006, José Mourinho stated that his captain may require surgery to fix the problem. In the games that he had missed, Chelsea had conceded six goals. On 28 December Chelsea released a press statement saying Terry had had back surgery: "The operation to remove a sequestrated lumbar intervertebral disc was successful." Although he was expected to return at the game against Wigan Athletic, Terry was missing once again, due to the recurring back problem. He made his return against Charlton Athletic on 3 February 2007. He then played his first 90 minutes of football for nearly three months against Middlesbrough. Playing in the UEFA Champions league last-sixteen away tie against Porto, he suffered another injury, this time to his ankle, and was set to miss the 2007 League Cup Final against Arsenal, but managed to recover from the injury within days and played in the final. During the second half of the match, at an attacking corner, he threw himself at the ball with a diving header; Arsenal's Abou Diaby, in an attempt to clear the ball, kicked Terry in the face. Terry was unconscious for several minutes, at which point he nearly swallowed his tongue. He was carried off the field on a stretcher and immediately transferred to the University Hospital of Wales, where he was successfully treated. Terry discharged himself the same day and returned to the Millennium Stadium to celebrate his team's 2-1 win. The only recollection he had of the second half is walking out onto the pitch and he did not remember the 10 minutes he played prior to his injury. Following the incident, Terry thanked the Arsenal physiologist Gary Lewin for saving his life. Lewin was the first medic that rushed over to assist him after his tongue had blocked his airways. After spending two weeks on the sidelines, he made his return to the Chelsea team in March. He went on to lead Chelsea to the semi-finals of the Champions League, the third time in four years that Chelsea had made it to the final four of the competition. In May 2007, Terry captained Chelsea to the FA Cup, in the first final at the new Wembley Stadium.

In 2007-08 Despite failing to agree terms to a new contract immediately following the 2006-07 season, Terry stated on several occasions that he had no intention of leaving Chelsea. In late July he signed a new five-year contract with a base salary in the region of £135,000 per week, making him the highest-paid player in the Premier League at the time.

On 16 December 2007 whilst playing against Arsenal, Terry's foot was stepped on by Emannuel Eboue as the Chelsea defender cleared the ball, resulting in 3 broken bones in Terry's foot. He was expected to be out for at least three months but made a speedy recovery and managed to captain Chelsea to the 2008 League Cup Final against Tottenham Hotspur, which Chelsea lost 2-1. On 11 May 2008 whilst playing in the last league game of the season against Bolton Wanderers, he collided with goalkeeper, Petr Čech, and suffered a partially dislocated elbow which was put back in while in the ambulance on the way to hospital. This injury didn't prevent him playing in the Champions League final against Manchester United. The match went to penalties, and Terry missed a penalty which would have won Chelsea the match (and the Champions League). In heavy rain, his standing leg slipped as he took his kick, and though Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was sent the wrong way, the ball clipped the post and went wide. Chelsea lost the shootout 6-5, with Nicolas Anelka missing the crucial kick in sudden death; the result leaving the Chelsea captain in tears.

On 28 August 2008, Terry was awarded the Defender of The Year award from UEFA at the UEFA Champions League Group Stage Draw in Monaco, together with Frank Lampard and Petr Čech who received the award relating to their respective positions. On 13 September 2008, Terry received the first straight red card of his career against Manchester City for pulling down Jô just inside the Chelsea half. However, this was later rescinded on appeal.

At the end of the season, which had been disrupted by the mid-season departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari, Terry led Chelsea to the FA Cup under interim manager Guus Hiddink, the Blues recovering from conceding a goal in the first minute to defeat Everton 2-1. It was Chelsea's fifth FA Cup title, and the third of Terry's career.

Prior to the 2009-10 season there was prolonged speculation that Terry would join Manchester City, though new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted that Terry would remain at Chelsea. In late July, Terry pledged his future to Chelsea "once and for all", and was rewarded with a new five-year contract. Terry claimed that during discussions with the club he had sought assurances that Chelsea would secure key existing players for the long term, adding "I'm as committed as ever to helping drive Chelsea forward and I'll be proud to lead the team for as long as I can."

Chelsea started the season strongly under Ancelotti, despite away defeats against Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa. During the latter game the Chelsea captain clearly displayed his frustration following Villa's second goal, the second of the game to come from a set piece. On 8 November 2009, Terry scored the decisive goal in Chelsea's match against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge to preserve their perfect home record for the season. Terry scored another crucial goal against Burnley in January 2010, scoring a headed winner from a corner in the 82nd minute, to earn Chelsea all three points. The Blues went on to secure the Premier League title, the third of Terry's career, and clinched the double with victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final, with Terry earning the permanant distinction of being the first Chelsea captain to lead the club to both titles in the same season.

2010-11 was a relatively disappointing season for Terry and Chelsea. Despite finishing second in the Premier League, the club finished the season trophyless and manager Carlo Ancelotti was sacked at the end of the campaign. With many players failing to reach the heights of the previous season, Terry was one of the side's most consistent players, his defensive performances (aided by a fine season from goalkeeper Petr Čech) helping Chelsea finish the season with the joint-lowest number of goals conceded in the league. Terry also contributed four goals throughout the season, and passed the landmark of 500 appearances for the club, only the fifth player to reach the total after Ron Harris, Peter Bonetti, John Hollins and Frank Lampard.

Click here to view the record

[Steve 10,227]

what a superstar he is im glad we have him in our line up and im glad hes back in the squad

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

John Terry Injury Update!

It`s been four weeks since our JT got done at Arsenal.

However, our club captain is making good progress.

Tonight, on Chelsea TV, we were treated to a great interview with JT.

Looking relaxed JT explained that he was ahead of schedule and that the cast had long gone and that he was now off of his crutches.

Now his rehabilitation consists of wearing a protective boot to protect the original damage but that too can be discarded on Monday.

JT explained that the broken bones had successfully knitted together and that he was working on relaxing all the tight tendons and ligaments by using the hydrotherapy pool.

He also admitted that it was a little frustrating. After being told that the bones had knitted together, he thought that he would be simply able to resume training.

Nevertheless he was quick to dismiss the various stories doing the rounds suggesting that he`d be out for the season by implying that he anticipated returning to first team action in two to three weeks.

Good news or what!

So much for being out all season

Back by the end of the month maybe.....Liverpool at home on Feb 9th looks a possible target.....

[Bandicoot 3]

Glad to see him on the mend.

[SuperSheva7 0]

ya just heard him talk on Chelsea TV like a second ago, should be back soon enough.

[Steve 10,227]

great news lets hope we do have him for the liverpool game

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I'd prefer to see him out for four weeks rather than three. I don't want to rush him back. JT is brave but stupid. He throws himself at everything and he will just aggrivate the injury if he gets back too soon and it will cost us. Alex and Ricardo are a great partnership, and Ivanovich will be signing soon I hope.

[Elliott 7]

We don't need to rush him back. Alex is a capable replacement, not as good as JT, naturally, but I don't worry with Alex and Carvalho as a centre back pairing. Just make sure he is absolutely fit when we play him.

[misschief 24]

We don't need to rush him back. Alex is a capable replacement, not as good as JT, naturally, but I don't worry with Alex and Carvalho as a centre back pairing. Just make sure he is absolutely fit when we play him.

Dead right. Alex is doing exactly what we would want him to do in this situation. JT can have the luxury of recovering fully from injury this season before he comes back.

[KENT_BLUE 1]

brinh him back for the pompey match as im going lol!.

kent_blue

[amy 0]

he is a fantastic player.. i love him sooooooooooooooo much..lampsy is my fav. player and after him of course his best friend JT..i hope we can win the premier leage and the champions league this season and i hope no more injuries

[Kajo 176]

http://goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/200...s-john-terry-50

Goal.com's Top 50 English Players: John Terry (50)

Goal.com are counting down England's greatest players of all time and at number 50 is current captain and Chelsea legend, all-action defender John Terry...

John TERRY

Born 7/12/1980, London, England

England 51 caps, 6 goals

Clubs Chelsea, Nottingham Forest (loan)

Few would question John Terry's position as captain of England. Many will say there are better defenders and maybe even better leaders, but there is something so quintessentially English about him: from his name to his playing style and his attitude - for better or worse - it's all a fit for the armband.

Yet it's been far from plain sailing since he took over as captain from David Beckham. Untellable levels of shame will justifiably forever hang over the head of Steve McClaren for failing to qualify for Euro 2008, but some of that, rightfully or not, will always be shared by the skipper.

After McClaren's dismissal and Fabio Capello's appointment, Terry saw off some rotation of the armband and stiff competition from Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand to retain his place as leader of his country, despite strong support for Rio in particular to take his place. He has done himself and his country proud ever since.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

JT lifts his second Prem trophy

While he has never been the most technically skilled or complete defender, he has had the world class company of first Marcel Desailly, then Ricardo Carvalho and William Gallas for company at the back during his time with Chelsea. He rose through the ranks with the west London club and won the club's Player of the Year award, aged just 21, in his breakthrough season.

The action man was appointed club captain by Jose Mourinho upon his arrival at the club and Terry, 23 at the time, was a driving force behind successive Premier League titles, two League Cups, an FA Cup and a string of strong showings without ultimate reward in the Champions League.

Without doubt backed by vast riches from owner Roman Abramovich, Terry led a side of so-called mercenaries to all these titles and it was characters like him - like Mourinho - that made the difference between that Chelsea side and the even more expensive Real Madrid Galacticos, who were at that very same time falling from grace in spectacular fashion.

Terry's significance for club hasn't quite transferred itself to country as he and England fans would have liked. The upcoming World Cup will serve as his chance to make his mark as a genuine legend for his country, as he has already done for his club, still just 28 years of age.

He has all the ingredients to make it happen. Certainly, from game to game, few can compete with the fearless nature of John Terry's defending. He is the aggressor: the one who forces the issue, takes control, flies in with tackles and towers in the air.

He makes mistakes (what defender doesn't?) but is readily forgiven by the fans for every tackle he makes that so many other defenders would never manage, or never dare to make. His ability to recover from even the greatest of falls is testament to an incredible character and he has the fitness to go at least as far as the 2014 World Cup for his country.

We are in an era were there are few world class centre-backs to behold - not even in Italy - and it is in fact England who have the best defensive talent to choose from out of all the top nations in world football, and it's Terry who leads that particular pack with Rio Ferdinand. That's no dumb luck - and Fabio Capello, if you believe what you hear, certainly isn't one to play favourites. Terry is where he is on merit.

He still is and will probably always be the man for a crunch situation. He has come through at key moments throughout his career both defending goals and scoring them, despite the almighty blunder that was the slip, the post, the missed penalty and the lost Champions League trophy on that rain-soaked pitch in Moscow. Maybe not the exception that proves the rule, but certainly something so unfortunate that it really could have happened to anyone.

That Champions League failure, that Euro 2008 humiliation - it all means that for all JT's achievements and elevated status in the modern game - both nationally and internationally - he is still a man seeking personal redemption, records to make and break and as a lot more silverware.

HONOURS

Premier League (2004-05, 2005-06)

FA Cup (2000, 2007)

League Cup (2005, 2007)

Community Shield (2005)

PFA Player of the Year (2004-05)

FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament (2006)

FIFPro World XI (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

UEFA Best Defender (2005, 2008)

UEFA Team of the Year (2005, 2007, 2008)

Chelsea Player of the Year (2001, 2006)

DID YOU KNOW ... That John Terry says Thierry Henry is the best player he has ever played against.

[Igor 0]

My favorite player forever - and best player in the world.

[Ray. 217]

I couldn't agree more, what a legend.

[BluesChick 1,260]

He's my favorite player and he is the reason I became a Chelsea fan

[flamiejamie 0]

He's my favorite player and he is the reason I became a Chelsea fan

Good to hear this instead of the usual opposite!

[Fulham Broadway 16,917]

Again was superb on Sunday, closed down L'Arse so many times.

That 50 yd pass to Anelka, the pass to Cole for Drogbas first, he is a really skillful player and not just the bruiser the media like to portay him as...

[boshman 1,073]

Terry's commitment and never-say-die attitude is untouched by everybody in world football. He has blue blood coursing through his veins. He epitomises everything that is Chelsea. He is Chelsea.

In my opinion, when this man retires he will retire as the biggest Chelsea legend there is... and ever will be.

JT... Captain. Leader. Legend.

Come on the Chels!