John Terry Rumours: Why the Chelsea Man Should Move to Galatasaray

John Terry has been linked with a move away from Chelsea and the Premier League.

Reports in the Mirror suggest that the 32-year-old is attracting interest from Turkish side Galatasaray SK.

Managed by former Turkey national team coach Fatih Terim, Gala have just been crowned champions of the Super Lig for a record 19th time (BBC Football).

It could be the perfect move away from Stamford Bridge for Terry, whose current contract runs out next year.

Here we look into the reasons why the defender should consider leaving the Blues behind.

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Coach Fatih Terim

You may recall Fatih Terim from Euro 2008. Think back to the man in the open-necked white shirt, gesticulating on the touchline like a Wall Street trader gone mad. He looked, for all the world, like he’d just stumbled away from a desk job and onto the screen. The cameras loved him. That was Terim.

The former player-turned-manager guided his Turkey side to the semi-finals where they were eventually knocked out by Joachim Low’s Germany. But the Turks surprised everyone with their dynamic performances along the way.

Terim was ranked seventh in a list of the world’s best football managers by World Soccer magazine in 2008 and has coached some immense players, like Gheorghe Hagi and Hakan Sukur. 

Terim has also managed short spells at Fiorentina and AC Milan and has had two stints at Galatasaray—where he has overseen six Super Lig titles, a UEFA Cup win (1999/2000) and guided his side to this season’s quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The self-styled “Emperor” (profile at UEFA.com) is a tough manager and has a no-nonsense approach, but the emperor’s rule obviously gets results. 

With the future Chelsea manager yet to be unveiled, Terry could do well to play for the former defender, who is breaking records with Galatasaray.

Familiar Faces

Galatasaray are a force in the transfer market.

The Turkish champions may go about their business quietly but they are not to be underestimated—Gala have some serious muscle when it comes to player recruitment.

Last January’s transfer window provides a perfect example. The football world was in shock as Didier Drogba (Daily Mail) and Wesley Sneijder (UEFA.com) joined from Shanghai Shenhua and Inter Milan, respectively.

Galatasaray can also boast a whole host of notable overseas players in their current squad, including Felipe Melo, Emmanuel Eboue, Albert Riera, Johan Elmander and Tomas Ujfalusi.

Not to mention homegrown talent like Hamit Altintop, Gokhan Zan and Hakan Balta.

As Terry enters the twilight years of his career, the opportunity to play overseas with the likes of former teammate Drogba could be a very shrewd move.

Money, Money, Money

Let’s face it. Money is what makes modern-day football go round.

Galatasaray have offered to sign Terry on a three-year deal worth a reported £200,000-a-week (Daily Mail).

It’s hard to believe that any English clubs would be willing to pay the same figure to a player who has been increasingly sidelined under the tenure of Chelsea’s interim manager, Rafael Benitez.

It’s also worth taking into account the favorable tax rate that footballers receive in Turkey. With a maximum deduction of 15 percent and clubs willing to pay your tax for you (The Guardian), it’s a tasty prospect for any footballer and their agent.

The Fans

Galatasaray fans are a diehard bunch. Adjectives like “cauldron” and “fortress” are regularly tossed around when describing the Ali Sami Yen Stadium.

Supporters of Manchester United will not forget the infamous greeting their team received in 1993, when visiting Istanbul for a Champions League tie. “Welcome to hell,” read the banners. It was an intimidating, ferocious place to play football.

Reports suggest it still is. The Turkish fans have been named the loudest in the world (Daily Mail).

Drogba and Sneijder have already paid tribute to their home support (Goal.com), and Terry could receive a rapturous welcome were he to move to the club. 

First-Team Football

Terry has been finding himself largely marginalized this season under Rafa Benitez.

The 32-year-old, who was made club captain under Jose Mourinho, has only started 13 Premier League matches this term.

Three of those appearances have been as a substitute, which is in stark contrast with the 31 starts he had last season.

Benitez is famed for his squad rotation policy, which offers some explanation into the defender’s increasing exclusion from the Blues’ starting XI.

The emergence of David Luiz as heir to Terry and contender for the Chelsea armband must also be taken into account—a fact that Terry himself has acknowledged in The Guardian.

Galatasaray could tempt the English defender with offers of regular first-team football. Better, surely, than warming the bench.

Pastures New

John Terry has played for Chelsea for 18 years.

He joined the Stamford Bridge side aged just 14 and came through the ranks to eventually become club captain.

He has made it clear that he won't play for another club in the United Kingdom. Via The Sun:

"

It would be nice to win the Europa League, get the season out of the way and maybe talk contracts in the summer.

It might be another year or it might be another two, I don’t know. It depends on my fitness and my staying in a good enough condition to impress the guys who make those decisions.

Naturally it would be disappointing if they decided not to extend my contract but, at the same time, you understand that you can’t be around forever.

Where I’d go after that I’ve no idea but it certainly wouldn’t be in England. I couldn’t do that to the Chelsea fans.

"

Galatasaray’s fierce rivals, Fenerbahce, are reportedly also interested in signing Terry (Daily Mail).

Turkey beckons...