During his tenure as England captain, John George Terry led England to eighteen wins, six draws and four losses. He offered the team everything we associate with a great captain. He led by example on the pitch, playing with grit and determination. The man was a natural leader. None of this though stopped England manager, Fabio Capello, from sacking him for his failings, not on the pitch, but off it.
Private matter
There is no way you can justify Terry’s inability to remain monogamous. He is without a doubt a womanizer; infidelity is something he never quite got the hang of. Much of what the media has reported in the last week or so has portrayed him as a sleazy, callow character. But these are failings which have never, and probably will never, effect his on field performance.
Terry is a great centre back. He may have short comings off the pitch, but on the pitch he is a model professional. He has been made Chelsea Player of the Season twice, once in 2001 and again in 2006 and has been selected as the UEFA Club Football Awards Best Defender three times, in 2005, 2008 and 2009.
In an age where footballers are accused of lacking passion, Terry is the epitome of a player who cares about his club and country. One of the toughest defenders in the world he may be, but he still shed tears when Chelsea suffered defeat at the hands of Manchester Utd in the 2008 Champion’s League final. He reacted in a similar fashion when Capello decided to strip him of his captaincy. Pictures showed Terry to be an emotional wreck after the apparent 12-minute meeting with the England captain. This man cared enough about the England captaincy to show real emotion.
Where are the role-model’s?
Many people claim it’s a players job to be a role-model, but in reality, very few footballers have ever been worthy of such an accolade. Womanising, gambling, alcoholism and greed are just a few vices footballers have been guilty of in the past. From George Best to Tony Adams, footballers have never been paragons of virtue. A players job is on the field. And whilst it can be argued that they have an obligation to conduct themselves appropriately, it is a duty many have shirked for a number of years now.
The appointment of Rio Ferdinand as Terry’s successor is another baffling decision. A man who’s indiscretions in the past include drink driving, resulting in a one-year road ban and missing a drugs test, leading to an eight month football suspension. Even more ridiculous is the fact that Ferdinand is in the middle of serving a three match ban, increased to four due to a failed appeal, for lashing out at Hull City’s Chris Fagan off the ball. It seems violent conduct on the pitch and drink-driving off it, is preferential to salacious behaviour in the Italian manager’s eyes.
Many players would implode under such intense media scrutiny, John Terry however has coped remarkably well. The manner in which he has dealt with the situation is a testament to his dedication to the beautiful game. He went out against Arsenal and put in a fantastic performance; a true captains performance. He assisted with the first goal and looked solid and assured at the back. Chelsea won the game 2-0 with John Terry leading the team. He may be weak when it comes to the temptation of women, but Terry is a pillar of strength when it comes to football.
A natural leader
Even more praise comes in his handling of the media. After the sacking, Terry phoned Ferdinand and offered him all the best as captain. Terry also vowed he would continue to give everything for England. To say this is simply media-friendly nonsense would be unfair to the player; he has always shown sincerity when it comes to the football field. Terry will continue to give everything he’s got on the pitch for England, and don’t be surprised if he turns out to be one of England’s star players at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The man is a natural leader, with or without the captain’s arm-band.
Bad decision
Fabio Capello has made a bad decision, one that he will surely come to regret. And whilst many are quick to praise his ruthless, no-nonsense managerial approach, the decision will be viewed very differently if England fail to perform at this year’s World Cup. As a husband and father, Terry has undoubtedly failed. He has let his wife and son down. One accusation you can’t level at him is failing England where it counts, on the football pitch. For club and country Terry has consistently been a class act, and will continue to be a class-act for a number of years. As Health Minister Mike O’Brien succinctly twittered: “Infidelity is bad but I saw no signs of fatigue in his football.”