It was hearts in mouths time again yesterday as not for the first time, we watched in horror as the once seemingly unbreakable Terry hit the deck. As if the fact he’d stayed down wasn’t confirmation enough then his punching the ground in a mixture of pain and frustration told us it was game over for the Captain. Title race or not, all thoughts turned to Moscow as heavily strapped, Terry’s exit from this particular title race ended on a stretcher.

Little wonder we all waited anxiously for news on our inspirational Captain as the game limped on without him, his absence leaving a hole in both our defence and motivation. Because it’s been his commanding presence over the past four or five years that’s driven us on in games like this. His fighting spirit and desire to win at all costs that has seen him turn up and take charge no matter what. I swear the bionic man’s got nothing on the inimitable JT. Whilst Drogba limps about with a broken toenail, JT’ll run around looking like the Phantom of the Opera, such is his desire to play. His no nonsense approach sees him throwing himself into every challenge, as his latest battle with Cech’s knee has showed only too well.

He’s not without his critics – what big players are? And his battles with officials have come at the expense of his England captaincy it would seem. There’s no question his passion has spilled over into disrespect towards (usually incompetent) refs but despite his initial bravado, he’s addressed this of late. If England still don’t want him then I’d have to say that’s their loss because whatever else happens at Chelsea, the one certainty is that we’ll never get less than 100% while he’s in charge.

And right on cue, having had his dislocated elbow pushed back into place, he returns from hospital to lead out the lads on their end-of-season lap of honour, reassuring us all “Three or four days rest and I should be ok for Moscow”. Grant, who clearly doesn’t know Terry anywhere near well enough yet, has cautiously suggested the Chelsea medical team will determine whether he’s fit nearer the time.

But the rest of us are all safe in the knowledge that if nothing’s broke he won’t be letting them fix it.

Filed under: Current Players