John Terry: The End or the Beginning?

Was the substitution against Manchester City in the Premier League game, the beginning of the end of John Terry?

In the second premier league game of the season last weekend against Manchester City, John Terry was substituted at half time and was replaced by Kurt Zouma.

This was the first time that Terry had ever been substituted in the Premier League under Mourinho, and unsurprisingly, it has got the tabloids fluttering across the UK.

While on paper, the move may appear to be purely tactical - something that Jose insisted on in his post match interview- the symbolism of it cannot be overlooked.

The Beginning of the End?

While some theories point towards it being a signal to the board demanding more players, we all know from experience that Jose is seldom so subtle in his expression.

The fear around Chelsea Football Club is that of the inevitable, and something which almost came to the fore a couple of years ago, before Jose took charge again. And although last season was almost flawless for the Chelsea skipper, it may be time for everyone in and around the club to accept that JT’s reign is nearing its end.

A Leader of Men

Players like Terry come around once in a generation, and while they define & represent the club at a global stage, it is their value in the dressing room, which makes them legendary. A born leader, his personality and performances have set the standard on the pitch for well over a decade, inspiring not only players at Chelsea but an entire generation of young English defenders. It is for this reason, that while it may be hard for the Stamford Bridge faithful to imagine the team without JT leading from the front, it is imperative that the club appreciates, acknowledges and utilizes the priceless experience, which he can yet bring to the dressing room.

Accept and Adapt

The legs may be going and the vision may not be what it was 10 years ago, but it is the ability to embrace the change, use the experience and adapt one’s game which can extend a great player’s career at the top, while continuing to add true value to the team. Taking a cue from cricket, the player/mentor roles played by Shane Warne & Rahul Dravid in the IPL is a prime example of greats of the game embracing their physical limitations on the field, while inspiring a whole team off it.

Not Just a Player

Done right, the player-mentor is an invaluable asset to any team, acting as the bridge between the players and the management. He is someone, the young players identify with, aspire to be and turn to when the going gets tough. He is someone who was a young player himself a few years ago and commands the genuine respect of his peers – the hardest kind. The lack of communication between Brendon Rodgers and Steven Gerrard over his changing role or maybe the latter’s resistance to adapt, robbed Liverpool of some golden years of Gerrard’s influence over the club. What probably stings most is that they need not look far to see the seamless transition of Ryan Giggs into management at Old Trafford.

Chelsea stand at crossroads as far as Terry is concerned, and while the ridiculously public pursuit of John Stones from Everton is an obvious signal, it is how Chelsea manage Terry’s role at Stamford Bridge over the next couple of seasons, which will be fascinating. If Jose gets it right, and he often does, JT could yet have some years of invaluable service at Stamford Bridge left in him. After all, he has never been one to shy away from leadership – even though wearing a full kit on the podium in Munich may not have been the best way to express it.