Chelsea FC's John Terry Is Not the Answer to PSG's Defensive Questions

Now that Euro 2012 has ended and the players have made their way home, the traffic in the transfer market is picking up steam. Seemingly attached to almost every name in value is Paris Saint-Germain. Having finalized the long rumored deal for Napoli's Lavezzi, and with the wooing of AC Milan's Thiago Silva at an end, PSG is now setting their sights elsewhere.

The Metro and others are reporting the Parisian outfit is set to launch a bid for Chelsea and England international defender John Terry. While there is no questioning the need for an upgrade in PSG's back four, I have to admit the Terry link is surprising to me.

I understand the connection of Terry having played for current PSG coach Ancelotti at Chelsea. I also understand that Terry occupies a position of need for PSG.

Despite those two connections, PSG would be wise to take their money elsewhere.

John Terry has been an excellent defender for both club and country over the last decade. He has captained his club to multiple trophies, and has been the backbone of one of the top clubs in Europe over that time. Even with his impressive resume, Terry is showing signs of slowing down over the last few seasons.

He is still an intelligent defender who gives total effort on the pitch. His leadership from the back is also a desired quality. His performance at Euro 2012 was solid, but there are some concerns for PSG.

Terry has never been a fleet-footed player. He wins with positioning and determination. While he still possesses those two qualities, he is now a half a step slower, and at his age will not be getting any faster.

Losing a little bit of quickness from your first (and remaining) steps makes it much harder to maintain the proper positioning, which has long been a staple of Terry's game. Without it, his level of play begins to drop.

There were several instances of this during the Premier League last season.

This slowing with age will catch up to him even in Ligue 1. With attackers like Aubameyang, Ayew, Sow and Lopez, that half step is going to matter. An exploitable weakness in the middle of the PSG defense could lead to another tight title race.

PSG wants to avoid their competitors staying close. A close competitor can beat you to the finish line.

Terry is on the downward slope of his career. No one knows how quickly his level of play may drop. Investing good money into a player who may only give you one season's worth for the price to obtain him is not good business, even with PSG's finances. The money would be better off spent on a defender entering his prime years.

Even with Terry's history with Ancelotti, there are no indications he would be happy in Paris. John is an Englishman through and through. He is a true competitor, and I do not see him trading in the pitches of his native England to win trophies on French soil.

At PSG he would be a fish out of water. John Terry still has some useful playing years left in his career—I just do not believe it is in Paris.