Love him or loathe him, we have all had to learn to deal with John Terry being plastered all over our screens for the last decade. The 32-year-old Chelsea skipper has established himself as one of the top English centre-backs in the game over the last few years and is regarded as one of the most passionate players in the league. However, last season was one to forget for Terry.
Under the guidance of Rafa Benitez, Terry played just nine full games and was struggling with injury on the side. While his stats matched up against the best at the club, there was a slight hint of frustration whenever he took to the field and he was sluggish in his play.
He had fallen from the captain, leader, legend that he has become known to the Stamford Bridge faithful, to a bit-part player in a controversial Chelsea side.
However, the return of Jose Mourinho to west London was just what he needed, and week by week we have seen the real John Terry emerge. Mourinho has injected the encouragement needed to rekindle Terry’s form, and the Blues have benefitted greatly from it.
Not only has Terry completed 92% of his passes – bettered only by Ryan Bertrand – but he has averaged the most defensive actions per game in the squad (9) and has completed 69% of his personal battles.
I, for, one am glad that the former England skipper is back to his best and I hope it continues.