Question John Terry must answer
WHAT will John Terry be doing on September 15? Will he be stirring himself, ready to lead Chelsea into the first chapter of their Champions League quest?
Or will he be wondering what delights lie ahead of him and his new Manchester City team-mates in the following week's Carling Cup encounter?
That's what Terry will have to consider when he weighs up the prospect of a move from his "beloved" Chelsea to the filthy-rich wannabes at Eastlands. In a World Cup season, does the England skipper want to face up to the challenge of midweek encounters with the likes of Kaka, Ronaldo and Messi?
Ambition
Or uproot yourself, spend long evenings checking a bank balance which multiplies at the rate of roughly £250,000 a week, pondering whether City will be good enough to beat Brighton or Nottingham Forest - their cup conquerors last season - and contemplating life without the challenge of ANY European football? He might also ask himself what part ambition and loyalty play in a career?
It's an entirely legitimate question, one the Chelsea hierarchy and fans will be asking.
Terry would normally have plenty to say if anyone dared call him a quitter, ever doubted his commitment to the cause. But all of a sudden there's nothing from "Mr Chelsea" but a deafening silence.
Which is mighty odd considering the hottest talk in town is of him quitting his "beloved" Chelsea and defecting to City in what would be the domestic transfer coup of the century.
Holiday
He and his advisers like to portray him as the very embodiment of Chelsea Football Club, as important to the fabric of Stamford Bridge as Roman Abramovich's billions.
Which makes it all the more surprising there's been no whisper of a denial, even when so many reports are suggesting City have received "encouragement" from Terry for their audacious bid. Terry is away on a well-deserved holiday but is that really any excuse for allowing this huge story to rumble on?
Especially when, by doing so, he is effectively undermining the arrival and unveiling of new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti?
Or is that just exactly what Terry wants?
Technology
Is he trying to prove there's nobody more important down at the Bridge - that managers may come and go but JT is always the main man?
Think that's being harsh? Not really. Modern technology means the Chelsea captain could easily have pinged a strongly-worded denial back to Stamford Bridge without having to step off the beach or the golf course.
And that would have killed this story stone dead and exposed it as nonsense.
This is JT remember - his blood is Chelsea blue, the club has formed part of his DNA since he took his first tentative steps on to the training ground as a teenager. How do we know this? Because he's told us so many times. And Chelsea have been just as quick to confirm it.
Hero
The recently-departed Guus Hiddink summed it up perfectly when he said: "John has made a very clear statement that he is a Chelsea man and wants to stay a Chelsea man and the club made it very clear they want him to stay forever."
If you needed any more convincing then Terry's profile on the club website says: "Chelsea to the core and a true hero to the fans, John is the most successful captain in Chelsea history."
He's been there since he was 14 and won every domestic trophy, most notably back-to-back league titles in 2005 and '06.
Reputation
He's played in the Champions League final and reached the semis five times in six seasons.
And he's going to swap all that for a City team who aren't even good enough to make the new Europa League this season? And risk his reputation as the best in the business in a World Cup season.
Whatever for? There is no other answer but MONEY.
Yes, everybody linked with City babbles on incessantly about the lure of the "project" and of being in on the ground floor of a stunning new era.
Nobody believes it. Nobody would believe it if Terry was to leave Chelsea for City. Which is why he needs to come clean - and quick.
Devotion
If Terry is sincere in his devotion to Chelsea, then all Abramovich or Ancelotti need do is sit him down and demand to know if there is a price on his loyalty. Should that be the case, then let him take the cash and dash north in the realisation there will be the severest reaction from the Bridge faithful.
Chelsea fans have believed every word he's told them about his love affair with their club.
They drape a flag over the Matthew Harding Stand at every game that simply says "JT - Legend".
That would go up in smoke as quickly as Terry's reputation - and the banners would read something very different should he ever dare show his face in SW6 in that other blue shirt, the one of Manchester City.
Premier League
Championship
League 1
League 2
FA Cup
Carling Cup
EUROPE Champions Lge
Europa League
INTERNATIONAL England
World Cup
MATCH CENTRE Live scores
Fixtures
Results
Tables
CLUB PAGES Team-by-team
COMMENT
Andy Dunn
Rob Shepherd
Paul Ince
IN-OFF
Transfer news
DREAM TEAM
Fantasy football
EMAIL ALERTS
Free updates
This article has 33 comments
Get a grip...Money talks, worldwide...will City rule, I don't know, did Chelsea rule? Real Madrid? Barcelona? Man U? what are your complaints? that clubs spend money???? unbelievable...
By Bob. Posted July 5 2009 at 5:22 PM.
personally id choose city, 1. he will get better wages. 2. he will have more stability as city arent loooking to get rid of their manager(sparky) 3. like it or not (or believe it or not) city are building a great team and with the effort they can soon become one of the 'top four' 4.chelsea will not win champs league or premier league, anything he has a realistic chance of winning at chelsea he has a realistic chance of winning at city. 5. he wont be playing as much games at city, so will not be shattered when the world cup starts. i cant see this happening but im sure moving would be better for john, goodluck pal whatever choice you make.
By aidan. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:41 PM.
If J.T. comes to Eastlands or not the Chelsea fans can't say he's only there for the money. Why is Dan
Sturridge just gone to Chelsea yes you've got it for THE MONEY it's a job an overpaid job but a job if somebody offered you the chance to double or treble your money what would you do (he who throws the first stone etc)
By CliffL. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:22 PM.
Why do seemly rational people still spout utter nonsense about salary and transfer caps. It has never worked in any industry that it has been imposed, and expecting the Spanish clubs to honer these rules boarders on the farcical. And to hark on about the good old days when the chairman and the board took all the money as opposed to the talent on the pitch just beggars belief
By David . Posted July 5 2009 at 2:34 PM.
i remember havin to watch chelsea fans waving 20 pound notes at us and stealing swp from us and stalling his career well they dont make 100 pound notes shame were coming and mr beasley if you had seen my 2 distraught boys when swp left you wouldnt deny them whats comin now enjoy all city fans were on the move
By eric wilkinson. Posted July 5 2009 at 11:40 AM.
JT has never put England first so why now. He shouldn´t be Captain. I would prefer Becks to regain it than him have it...
By ricardo. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:05 PM.
Rob Beasley is looking at the wrong target. Chelsea have a very well paid PR supremo, Simon Greenberg, who should have been on top of this tale from the outset. Unfortunately, as usual, he lets things pick up their own head of steam before doing anything about it. It should be him not Terry knocking this story on its head. In comparison look how quickly the Arsenal PR machine moved when Fabregas was reported as saying he was open to a move.
By max. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:10 PM.
Appears to me to be a lot of jealous people out there! City have the money, or their owner does, would you not want him backing your club instead???????????
By Brian Ferry. Posted July 5 2009 at 11:57 AM.
what is it with all of you losers when other clubs spend a big amount of money thats fine but when city does boom every one have a go at city so all of you shut up fattys please come john terry.
By paul cooke. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:13 PM.
I'm not the biggest fan of Terry or Chelsea, but if he went to City I'd be gutted. Final proof that most footballers, even loyal, one-club men like Terry, are just out for as much money as they can get.
What City are trying to do is obscene. At least Chelsea built it up slowly when they got their money, signing players like Duff, Johnson and Joe Cole to build a team, and not this circus act that Man City has become.
By Mark. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:17 PM.
Just because you buy the best players in the world don,t mean they will play well together man city are going to fail just as real madrid will! all the superstars are going to want the headlines, the spot light and all the talk. JT would be so stupid to go to city he is one of a very few that you can call loyal to his team, and just like people have said if he leaves he risks loseing everything he has grafted for! don't leave jt your heart is at chelsea and all chelsea hearts are with you!!!
By L Jones. Posted July 5 2009 at 12:16 PM.
The whole of football is money mad! Cap the salleries and transfer fees; i mean is anyone worth £80,000,000? god knows what Pele & George Best would have sold for in todays market!
By George Cargill. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:36 PM.
For me JT is what Chelsea is all about. If he was to leave for Man City he will incur the wrath of every Chelsea supporter worldwide. He will destroy his career and many friendships with team mates.
JT I hope you prove us wrong and commit to the club that made you what you are. In saying that you are not bigger than Chelsea FC "The Pride of London".
Should you leave, I will not wish you the best of luck. I will not pity you either because you wouldn't deserve my pity.
Cut yourself open and show them the blue and white blood that courses your veins!
By GM of Australia. Posted July 5 2009 at 1:40 PM.
I dont think Terry would leave for City or any other club. Without disrespect to City, Terry is 29 and if he were to join City he could face at least 2 years of not playing in the Champions League.
He is a Chelsea man through and through and is quite possibly waiting for a salary increase from Chelsea. I dont agree with it but everyone does it in every job sector.
By Scott G. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:31 AM.
the whole of chelsea is built around cash, so why be surprized when mr chelsea himself leaves for the love of it. ps mr jt if you do go don't be having tea with any russians. lol
By M Wall. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:58 AM.
ha ha ha - £30,000,000 - you can have him -what a muppet club city are becoming even if they are rich.
By jay. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:59 AM.
SWP was City through and through until he had his head turned by Chelski's ridiculous wage offers. Don't be suprised to see this deal happen.
By John from Manc. Posted July 5 2009 at 10:27 AM.
Rob Beasley is a respected journo but writes this piece like a rosy eyed 12 year old. The majority of Chelsea players are at Chelsea precisely because of the money. Player (& manager) loyalty died years ago - and so what ? City's crime is to be ambitious and admit that they are not where they want to be. In order to get there they need to buy better players than they currently have which means top 6 or top 4 players. Whoever they approach is going to be accused of chasing the money - lets face it not every one of their targets is going to be a lifelong City fan. There is not a single City fan that I know who believes we will finish next season in the Champions League places, but in 2 or3 years ? Why not ? Rob. Please try to be more balanced and objective. I like to read your articles and you have achieved something in causing me to react but please don't assume you know every City fan because you read the newspapers ! It doesn't do you justice.
By RD. Posted July 5 2009 at 9:02 AM.
John, come on tell them where to go..... please please ..... you are Mr Chelsea & all Blues Fans want you to stay, we need you JT besides everything else you do you also hold everything together at the club... i can't bear it.... just say you are staying. Read Rob Beasely he's right... YOUT HAVE TO STAY XXX JT CAPTAIN LEADER LEGEND CHELSEA.
By Jenny Morley. Posted July 5 2009 at 8:50 AM.
I thought that tapping-up players was illegal or do both Manchester City and Real Madrid believe that these rules do not and cannot apply to them? In times of recession, super-inflated fees and salaries set a bad example and Platini is justified with his comments about transfer and salary caps. What Man City are doing is destabilising. What would Sir Alex Ferguson say if they tried to lure away either of his top two central defenders. To maintain any integrity in this squalid affair, Terry should, like Kaka and Eto'o, dimiss it straight away.
By Ian. Posted July 5 2009 at 7:49 AM.
You got to love all these delusional City fans. They said exactly the same thing last season. This is what you get for binning Erickson and replacing him with someone who is obviously not good enough and then letting the team owner choose who gets bought and sold
The sky blue train is coming? Please, it stalled in the buffers the moment every world class player bar one realised that the team knocking on the door was the one from Manchester that's NOT called united.
By Hammers4ever. Posted July 5 2009 at 7:41 AM.
man city got class lol my arse, you lot wouldn't know class if it came up and bit ya in the behind. as for terry leaving the bridge thats like saying city will win the trebile next season that aint gonna happen why? oh yeah you didn't finish high enough for europe did ya. so stick ya big money bags on players like barry, bellamy, 2bobiniho..... players who care more for a bank balance than a trophy cabinet. you've never had class and you never will KTBFFH
By j howard . Posted July 5 2009 at 7:27 AM.
The best prep for a world cup would actually be at City - fewer games - no Champions League, no Europa League. THINK ABOUT IT!!
"everybody linked with City babbles on about being in on the ground floor of a stunning new era.
Nobody believes it."
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!! WAKE UP. CITY ARE A COMING. The author is either stupid or in denial.
By LCoops 4 CITY. Posted July 5 2009 at 6:08 AM.
John Terry will lift the prem title with MCFC in May 2010. This will be good preparation for the World Cup.
By Pam. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:19 AM.
It's time for a salary and transfer fee cap system. That would prevent some of the non-sense taking place in the world of football.
By zululegend. Posted July 5 2009 at 2:34 AM.
Terry can see City will be top of the tree in a season or two and wants in with players like Tevez, eto'o, Lescott joining Robinho, Ireland and Barry City will be a force next season and in the long run he will have a better chance of winning medal's with them than he will with Chelsea, this is the appeal of the project not just the money. there team next season could look like this.
-----------------GIVEN----------------
-----------TERRY (c)--LESCOTT-------
ZABALETA----------------------BRIDGE
----------------DE JONG--------------
---------IRELAND------BARRY---------
TEVEZ-----------ETO'O--------ROBINHO
He would be crazy to not join that team.
By Dr Watson . Posted July 5 2009 at 12:00 AM.
What's the best way for JT to prepare for the World Cup?
70-odd games for Chelsea leaving him shattered and unable to give his best for his country or 40 games for City leaving him fresh and able to lead the back line of Hart, Richards, Lescott and Bridge to World Cup glory?
By JG. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:39 PM.
I'am big man city fan and would love too see Terry in the little blue of city, but it won't happen Terry is Mr Chelsea he doesn't need to say anything Chelsea have said it for him "Terry is not for sale". City will move on and get someone else i think its more of a "look who we are bidding for" sort of thing.
By Matthew Harvey. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:30 PM.
Once he makes the transfer request, the club should squeeze as much money from City and refresh the team with pace. Depending on his performance at City he stands to lose his standing on the national team with the FIFA world cup round the corner!
By Michael Enweluzor. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:27 PM.
why don't you ask what he would prefer ?
150k a week or 300k ?
EVERYBODY reading this will choose the latter, and you know it.
By Theo. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:05 PM.
Er, exactly why are Man City "filthy-rich wannabes" any more than Chelsea themselves?
If Ambramovich hadn't bought Chelsea then 'Mr Chelsea' John Terry would have left them years ago to play for one of Man United, Arsenal or Liverpool.
As would have Lampard.
By John T. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:14 PM.
Maybe JT is sick of playing under 2 or 3 different managers every season and fancies a real challenge in football rather than growing old in the Chelsea comfort zone.
By Boris. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:12 PM.
rob beasley doesnt know what he is talking about
City have much more pedigree and class than chelsea will ever have (as shown by reaction to champions league defeat last year and core fan base of about 12,000)
chelsea are history and city will be in the top 4 next season - there is a big sky blue train coming and most people wont realise until it has hit them!
By tp. Posted July 4 2009 at 11:11 PM.