An Argument for Why John Terry Must Be Handed a New Chelsea Contract
Under Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo and Rafa Benitez, the Chelsea career of John Terry looked to be reaching its conclusion.
Found uncustomarily on the bench, the idea England's former captain would ever regain the form which saw him lead the Blues to multiple trophies, as an automatic selection, was widely considered foreign.
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Once Jose Mourinho returned to west London in summer 2013, things were changed—yet back to normal. Terry's place in Chelsea's starting XI has been a prerequisite since Mourinho's revival, and the captain has played outstanding football—deserving his place via meritocracy, not sentimentality.
Starting all 20 Premier League games this season—as well as six starts in the Blues' various cup competitions—Terry has hardly been found out; his only transgression of consequence coming vs. Southampton. Invariably in the correct defensive position, whether for blocked shots, clearances or man-marking, the Englishman has the art of centre-backing mastered.
One might expect—in over 1,800 minutes of football—a centre-back to be yellow-carded at least once. Were one to check the books of every EPL referee officiating a Chelsea match this season, however, they would not find a sign of Terry anywhere.
Able to control games defensively without fouling and being overly aggressive is arguably Terry's chief operating characteristic.
Chipping in with three domestic goals this campaign, Terry has continued being a penalty-box nightmare for opposing defences: His two goals vs. Stoke City and West Ham United, within the span of four days, assisted his club to six points.
By the numbers, Terry is playing fantastically well. By the eye test, one comes to the same conclusion; so why have Chelsea yet to sign their captain to another contract?
Limited to one word: Policy.
Chelsea, for the past decade plus, have established an "over 30" policy. Meaning players over 30 are evaluated on an annual basis, and should their play warrant a 12-month extension, talks are established. Mourinho has hinted Terry's next contract offer is a formality, per the Guardian's Dominic Fifield, but contract negotiations are out of the Portuguese's hands.
While under different circumstances, those in Chelsea's upper management would do well to consider the season Frank Lampard is having with Manchester City. The Blues' legend scored eight goals for the Blues in 2013/14, yet he was allowed to leave Stamford Bridge. Albeit under curious proceedings, Lampard has given the Citizens vital points which currently has the Premier League table deadlocked.
Not to suggest Terry would join another title-challenging side were a new Chelsea contract denied him, but rather to highlight the daft, yet often ubiquitous, notion players over 30 are somehow obsolete to competitive football clubs.
In a footballing sense, the guile of a veteran can often be more valuable than the sprightliness and/or general ignorance of an upstart; luckily Mourinho takes the experience approach more times than not (see Didier Drogba). While Kurt Zouma and the likes of Tomas Kalas have great potential, Chelsea rocking the proverbial boat—when their long-serving captain in such stellar form—would be nonsensical.
Given the season Terry has offered his club, being perhaps the Blues' preeminent defensive player, 2015/16 should not stray from what the past decade has always provided: Terry emerging first from whichever tunnel—adjusting his captain's armband—and partnering with Chelsea's second-best central-defending option.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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