It’s not Terry’s….It’s?
John Terry had called time on his England career after 78 caps for the national side, deeming his place in the squad as untenable after recent racial allegations were made against him. The former England captain has had a very up and down career for the Three Lions, but who is likely to step up and take his place in Brazil in 2014?
There is no doubt that the Chelsea skipper would have been a front runner for a starting berth in the heart of the England defence for the upcoming world cup in South America, but following his retirement, it leaves the door open for other centre halves to step forward.
Joleon Lescott looks to have cemented a place in Roy Hodgson’s starting eleven at present, with Everton’s Phil Jagielka looking like his likely partner at this stage. That could all change come 2014 though, with players like Rio Ferdinand sure to have a say in the battle for the central defensive jerseys. Champions’ League winner Gary Cahill is another who will fancy his chances when the squad is announced for Brazil at the end of next season, and with two or three other players in the mix, it’s an interesting little dilemma for Hodgson.
Terry’s retirement comes at a time when he is under scrutiny from the fans and from the F.A after speculation that he made racist remarks to Anton Ferdinand towards the end of last season. Even though he was cleared in court of the charges, he has been hit with a ban by the F.A, and feels its time to bring his international career to a halt as a result.
It remains to be seen who will take Terry’s place, but despite the various stories that have came out about Terry in the last few years, he remains one of England’s finest servants at centre back, and whoever takes up the mantel from him will have to give their all for the England cause.
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