John Terry: Even 'Teflon John' cannot survive ruthless owner

To describe him as 'part of the furniture' would undersell him by years

John Terry (PA)

The news was a shock, but it was always going to be a shock. John Terry has built up a sense of permanence verging on invincibility in his Chelsea career, which will now be ending in three months’ time. To describe him as “part of the furniture” would undersell him by years. When a player is in his 16th season at the top of the game it is hard to imagine any alternative.

Terry has survived so much already, so many episodes that might have ended or altered the career of someone other than “Teflon John”. He lost the England captaincy for the first time in 2010. His England career ended in disgrace in 2012. He was routinely benched by Rafa Benitez in 2013 after a serious knee injury. Chelsea considered releasing him in 2014, at the end of Jose Mourinho’s first season back at Stamford Bridge, but he improved and they let go the less-tarnished Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard instead.

Terry rewarded Chelsea with a brilliant 2014-15 season, his Indian summer, in which he won his fourth Premier League title, his 16th major trophy in blue. When Terry shut out Arsenal at the Emirates nine months ago, on the way to the title, Mourinho said it was the best he had ever seen him play.

Mourinho and Terry had their differences this season but he survived that too, and was the last connection to Guus Hiddink’s previous stint in charge when the Dutchman returned at Christmas. He looked as important as ever.

But for all Terry’s popularity with the fans, and his importance to the coach, this club does not belong to any of them. It belongs to Roman Abramovich. When Chelsea decide that a popular player or coach is no longer part of their future, there is no dispute. Cole and Lampard had their Chelsea careers ended swiftly. Mourinho lasted seven months after winning the Premier League. Roberto di Matteo was given just seven months after winning the Champions League.

After a few years of building and developing, Chelsea now look to be clearing the decks in order to renew the team to take them forward. More players will leave, but none as significant, or as surprising, as Terry.