It’s been a busy season in the tabloids for Chelseas ‘old guard’, and John Terry’s recent spell on the sidelines seems certain to fuel speculation on his future at the club too.
It was just two starts in three months prior to the Brentford game for the defensive stalwart, and with Cahill and Ivanovic doing a more than adequate job, it would seem harsh to disrupt the pairing and throw Terry straight back into the fold. One of those starts was in the 3-2 defeat of Newcastle, so you can hardly argue we would benefit from him in the starting XI, especially with Ivanovic, Lampard, and Cech, all capable of leading and organizing that back four.
Many would think the Europa League would be ideal to wean him back into the team, as it seems increasingly like both fans and players aren’t overjoyed by prospect of playing in it, but with Benitez again not naming him in the starting line-up, you have to wonder when he will get his place back, if at all.
Odusanwo on Facebook “The Terry omission is not bad because the combination between Cahill and Ivanovic is better than Terry and any other person”
This is despite Terry stating he was fit and ready to play, meaning that relationships in the camp could well be even more strained if the defender doesn’t get his place back. He may well get a start in the game against Brentford this weekend, and after shipping five goals in his last two starts, he will hope that they can come through that tie as simply as possible, at least a lot more so than the original tie.
Terry has been an integral part of the first team since 2000, so even at the age of 32, could he swallow being on the bench for a full season next year? Personally, I don’t think there is much to choose between the three, although Cahill had a below-par game versus Brazil, he has shown his prowess on the International stage, and with him and Ivanovic being the younger two of the trio, it would make sense to play that pairing for us in the long-term.
Terry still has a massive role to play at the Bridge, any club would be stupid to neglect him with his quality and ‘body on the line’ attitude, but do you think he would be happy to play second fiddle to Cahill and Ivanovic? Let us know!
By Brad Smith
Follow @BrummieBrad