John Terry: 10 Reasons the Chelsea FC and England Captain Deserves Our Trust

Chelsea FC have suffered a loss in confidence after losing three important games in recent weeks against Queens Park Rangers, Arsenal and Liverpool. With manager Andre Villas-Boas under huge pressure, they managed to notch an important victory against Wolves that could yet be a turning point in his Chelsea tenure.

Chelsea captain John Terry has had plenty to deal with in the last few weeks after he was alleged to make racist comments against Anton Ferdinand in the game against QPR. The controversial defender has received plenty of stick for this latest controversy and the police have also been involved in the case regarding the England captain.

It has been a difficult period for Terry, but the England captain has proved that he can play at his best during adversity and he will not shrink to the background. He is capable of leading this Chelsea and England side and though he has received plenty of criticism, here are 10 reasons to support him.

1. Innocent Til Proven Guilty in Racism Row

John Terry has been involved in plenty of controversies in the past, and this alleged racism incident is certainly as serious as any of the others. It has been considered as a serious incident by both the English FA and the police, who have also been involved in the issue.

However, both are yet to decide on whether Terry is guilty as alleged or if his version of the story justifies his case.

Any person should be considered to be innocent til proven guilty, and since it is yet to be proved, Terry has to be given the benefit of doubt at least for the next few weeks until a conclusion is reached.

2. He Is Still the Best England and Chelsea Defender

John Terry may be involved in plenty of controversies but the fact that none of his managers have been inclined to drop him from the team is testament to his quality on the pitch.

He has shown that he can perform at the highest level even when the crowds do target him, and he continues to fight his way out of trouble from this latest incident.

With Andre Villas-Boas' managerial tenure at Chelsea hanging in the balance, Terry delivered the goods for the Blues as they managed to beat Wolves 3-0. Though there will be tougher tests ahead, the England captain's form is key for the Blues.

Similarly, he is also very important for England and though there are good talented defenders in the squad, Terry's experience and quality is extremely vital for the team in major tournaments.

3. He Is Still the England and Chelsea Captain

Despite the recent controversy, the England manager, Fabio Capello, has supported the England captain. Although he was removed from the firing line against Spain, he was the captain against Sweden.

He continues to be one of the most important players for England and Chelsea FC. It is quite evident that he is one of the best captains in the world and that is the reason why Capello made him the captain again.

Terry continues to be an inspirational captain despite the recent slump in form in his own performances as well as Chelsea's results. It is clear that he does have the support of his teammates at Chelsea, and it is important that he does receive the support necessary in order to turn the fortunes of the Blues and also England as they prepare for the Euro championships.

4. He Has Never Been Involved in Any Racist Controversies Before

John Terry has been involved in plenty of controversial moments in the past but he has never before been accused of making racist comments in the past before this incident involving Anton Ferdinand.

There are players from different origins and color in his own Chelsea team like Michael Essien and Ashley Cole, and Terry has good relations with his Blues' teammates in particular.

Being the captain of the team, he has been able to command the respect of all his teammates. Although Terry has had his fair share of controversies, this is a serious allegation. With no previous allegation involving racism, judgement must be reserved til the police or the FA find any conclusive evidence.

5. Terry's Version Is Still Unknown to the Public

John Terry has been a player who has shown great character in adversity and with all the heat on him, he has been determined to show his quality on the pitch.

However, an unfortunate slip allowed Robin van Persie ruin his day at the Bridge and the loss to Liverpool further disappointed him. In the press conference before the Sweden game, journalists were gagged from asking Terry questions pertaining to the racism issue. 

He is certain to justify that he is not guilty of being racist but his version of the event is not known and until that time, he does deserve the support of England and Chelsea fans.

6. Inconclusive Evidence so Far to Prove That He Did Make Racist Comments

There have been plenty of people who have demanded for Terry to be stripped of his England captaincy and suspended for some games. However, there is not much evidence on public display from the game against Queens Park Rangers.

Although people believe that Terry did use racist language, it is difficult to conclusively prove that he did indeed mouth those words.

Also, with the evidence that the police and the FA have obtained, it should be a better decision from them than it is from us football supporters. The video cannot be the reason alone for people accusing him of being a racist as it has not yet been proved by the police or the FA, who have not punished him so far.

7. Anton Ferdinand Did Not Hear the Comment on the Pitch

Racism is a serious issue in the world, and Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand has every right to be strong in his stand against racism. Though he has not made any pubic statement accusing John Terry, he does have strong feelings on the issue.

Despite the QPR centre back being right to demand a fair trial, the fact remains that he did not hear Terry make any racist comment on the pitch.

In fact, Ferdinand did not think there was any problem until the game had finished in QPR's favor, and only after the game did he watch the alleged video showing Terry using foul language to allegedly racially abuse him.

8. Paul Ince's Support to John Terry

Former Manchester United and Liverpool player Paul Ince has offered his support to John Terry and said that he is not a racist. Ince said:

"

He's not a racist. It's no excuse to say allegedly what he might have said or what anybody says towards black, white, Chinese (people). But if you say things in the heat of the moment it doesn't necessarily mean you are a racist.

"

The derby game involving Chelsea and QPR was one of the most heated games of the season, with the Blues having to play the second half with only nine men. Terry was visibly frustrated by the red cards and according to Ince, things said in heated circumstances does not always mean that he does intend it.

9. Arsene Wenger's Explanation of the Events Involving Racial Abuse and Others

Despite many fans from opposition teams not taking to Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, it is undeniable that he is one of the most experienced and respected managers in the world. It was interesting to see his version of things regarding the incident, and before the Chelsea game that the Gunners won 5-3, the Frenchman showed his support to John Terry before the game. He said, according to The Guardian:

"

There's a real debate about how much credit you can give to something that is said on the pitch in a passionate situation. How deep do you read? If you have played football, you have said something to your friends sometimes 'You are an idiot' but you do not really think that he's an idiot.

"In a passionate situation inside the game, [it] doesn't mean that you can say anything but...what I mean is you are not always politically correct on the football pitch.

"I don't know what he [Terry] said and what's happening. I just feel sometimes that what's happening on the pitch is not always politically correct. It doesn't excuse it. But the debate is... do you want every player to be followed by a camera? And analysed, completely, what he said after the game? That's what we should do, then?

"It is not only about racism. Any abuse. And what is done about this? Nothing. I would like to see people sitting on the seat [in the dugout] for one day and hear what people chant. You know it's completely wrong. It's the same as racism. For me it's racism anyway.

"

Wenger's explanation is certainly a thought-provoking one because he does say that he does not support racism but also provides an explanation as to why players could abuse each other in the heat of the game.

He does go on to make the point as to how other forms of abuse has also got to be dealt with as seriously as racism.

Also, the media glare on footballers like Terry and Wayne Rooney could irritate them, and Wenger makes it a point of not criticizing a person based on his previous reputation.

10. Media's Hype and Feeling of a Witch Hunt Against John Terry

Football is a game where the media does play an important role as in many other sports, and exaggeration and overhyping an issue is quite typical of the English media.

Racism is an issue which needs to be addressed in general but one gets the feeling that the whole incident, which occurred in the heat of the moment, has been blown to a very large extent, and that his reputation for controversy is the reason for that.

There have been racist incidents in football in the past, including as recently as last year when Sergio Busquets was accused by Real Madrid for using racist comments. However, they need to be dealt within the the players, clubs, the FA and, in Terry's case, the police as well.

It need not be a matter of public criticism til the England captain is declared racist by those concerned with the decision making. Terry's reputation and past history of controversies has contributed in this issue being blown out of proportion, but this is an issue which needs to be dealt with on only the event and not based on previous history of the players.