John Terry hits back at critics of Chelsea substitution stunt by claiming 'I could not care less' about what people think

Terry was replaced in the 26th minute - to coincide with his shirt number - in his final Premier League appearance with Chelsea

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John Terry has hit back at critics of his Chelsea farewell stunt after he was substituted in the 26th minute of his final match for the club by insisting “I could not care less” about what people think and that “If that's the way I want to go out, that's the way I go out.”

Terry started the 5-1 weekend victory over Sunderland in what was his final Premier League appearance before leaving the club at the end of the season, only to be replaced by Gary Cahill in the 26th minute to recognise the shirt number that he has worn throughout his 22-year career at Stamford Bridge.

The stunt was signed off by Sunderland manager David Moyes and revealed to have been Terry’s own idea, but that brought plenty of criticism, with the Chelsea captain facing accusations of reducing the importance of the game and attempting to feed his own ego by making the day all about him.

The Football Association also took a keen interest in Terry’s substitution, given that a pre-planned replacement opens the door to possible match-fixing, with at least three people placing money on a 26th minute substitution that paid off.

Speaking ahead of the FA Cup final against Arsenal this weekend though, Terry refused to have his Stamford Bridge send-off spoiled by his critics, although his comments did little to remove the sense that the whole scenario was planned to feed his ego.

Terry said: "I couldn't care less, I promise you. All I care about is celebrating with my Chelsea fans. Me and them have a wonderful rapport and have done for 22 years.

"Nothing that people write or say can ever get in the way of that.

"If that's the way I want to go out, that's the way I go out because I've been here 22 years, I've won so many trophies - so if I wanted to play one minute and come off, I would have done.

"I wanted to play 26 minutes because the shirt number means a lot to me and the supporters so as long as they are happy - and I was over the moon with the reception - I promise you I could not care less."


 Terry lifted the Premier League trophy in Sunday for a fifth time 
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The 36-year-old could make his final appearance for the Blues this weekend when Chelsea face London rivals Arsenal at Wembley, though having been left out of Antonio Conte’s first-team plans for the majority of the season, Terry is unlikely to find himself in the starting line-up and would in all likelihood be resigned to a place in the bench for the duration unless Chelsea can blow the Gunners off the park to secure the victory before full-time.

Should Terry receive one final send-off this weekend, he still won’t let the swansong spoil his memory of his Stamford Bridge farewell.


 Terry could make his final appearance for Chelsea in the FA Cup final 
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“It was an unbelievable send-off from the supporters to help me to celebrate 22 years at the club," Terry added. "I'm very grateful to them, and it was something I will never forget. It was so emotional after the game, I was in bits."