FA Score Massive Own Goal Over Terry Incident

When it came to his retirement on Sunday evening, it definitely seems like Terry was jumping overboard before being pushed.

Despite being cleared in a court of law over the Ferdinand incident, the FA decided they were going to go ahead with pressing charges on the England captain, who won a massive 78 caps for the Three Lions between 2003 and 2012.

Terry remarked that the FA’s decision had made his position in the squad “untenable”, and with their 99.6% success rate in these hearings, you can begin to understand JT’s decision. Not that England fans will agree with that, although those of a Tottenham or Arsenal disposition may have different views.

There is no doubt he put in 100% every time he stepped out in an England shirt, something which can be debated with a lot of so-called ‘professionals’ over the years. Meaning that his retirement will come as a huge blow to both Roy Hodgson, and the whole England set-up.

From his goal-line clearance against Ukraine in Euro 2012, to his body on the line fish-dive against Slovenia in the 2010 World Cup, there have been few better leaders of the back four.

So, where does this leave England now? Jagielka, Cahill, and Lescott are the three obvious choices, but whilst they are all world-class centre backs, you have to question who could step up to the leader of the pack, especially with the likelihood of an immature centre-midfield partnership come Brazil 2014.

Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka have just 24 England caps between them, and are both undermined at club level by fellow defenders. Phil Neville captains Everton, whilst Gary Cahill of course plays in the shadow of John Terry.

Lescott is highest capped with 23 appearances for his country, but even at Manchester City, he is marshalled by Vincent Kompany, so has little leadership experience to speak of.

It has always been a case of Terry and one other, in the heart of the English defence, but with the 2014 World Cup on the horizon, Hodgson now has to work with life post-JT, and mould one of the three into a leader that can do England justice in South America.

 

By Brad Smith
 Follow @BrummieBrad