John Terry’s era as Chelsea captain was the golden years for the club. They lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League and numerous cup competitions. He is the type of experienced leader that the Blues need right now. A constant whom the players respect. A base built on success that remains in place, even when managers come and go.
Terry knows exactly what it takes to succeed at the highest level at Chelsea, having achieved it for more than a decade. But even he sounds worried about the direction the club are headed in.
Liam Rosenior’s sacking represents another low point for the BlueCo era. They brought in the Englishman from Strasbourg, even when most fans were unconvinced. But three months later, they had no choice but to show him the exit door.
According to Hayters, Terry said while talking on a video on social media:
“Is a real top manager going to come to Chelsea at the moment in the position we are in? Can’t buy players, looking like we are going to have to sell potentially and that will be our best players, which is always tough.
“We will not be playing in European football, I hope I am wrong.
“Really, really frustrated and worried more importantly. I feel the anger, feel the frustration of the Chelsea supporters.
“But listen, I’ve seen 17 managers in my era come and go as Chelsea captain. What the players have to do is just get together and really focus on the weekend’s game and forget about all the noise around and everything.
“We have a massive game (against Leeds), it is really difficult but also really easy to do as players to forget the noise and focus on what’s ahead of you and that is the Leeds game at the weekend.
“We’ve seen this time and time and time again, but maybe the future isn’t as clear as we’ve always seen.”
Terry says out loud what most Chelsea fans are worried about
Terry has just said out loud what most Chelsea fans have been worried about for a long time. Has the damage already been done? Are the Blues even capable of attracting top coaches anymore?
BlueCo have never really gone for a top manager during their time as Chelsea owners. Mauricio Pochettino was the highest they aimed for. And for all the Argentine’s good work at Tottenham Hotspur, he was no proven winner.
Now, there are some whispers that they will be looking for someone with top-level experience. Let’s see what their definition of that is.
Andoni Iraola links emerge but is he a good fit?
Some of the names being linked with the club won’t convince the supporters, though. Andoni Iroala has been brilliant for Bournemouth but might not be as great at Chelsea. His style is based on high-intensity football, defending on the front foot and launching quick attacks. On the other hand, the Blues have been outrun in every Premier League game they have taken part in this season.
Also, there are talks about how hard Iraola wants his squad to work. Even Sundays are not off. Will this group of players be willing to fit into that philosophy?
Iraola looks like a much better fit for a club filled with proven veterans, not the squad Chelsea have in place at the moment. Then again, he is someone highly regarded in the footballing circles. And it would be no surprise if the owners go for him. Just like they did with Graham Potter. And we all know how that turned out.
