John Terry Makes His Point
John Terry
John Terry has made his point.
This tie was still on edge, the visitors mustering themselves in pursuit of an equaliser, whenChelsea’s talisman barged himself into space at Frank Lampard’s corner to thump in the goal that deflated Stoke City’s challenge.
The manic goal celebrations that followed arguably offered the best insight yet into the centre-half’s thoughts at surrendering the England captaincy.
Terry peeled away from the near post, the net billowing after his header had flicked off Andy Wilkinson and beyond Thomas Sorensen, to run to the corner of the East and Matthew Harding stands pointing at the armband.
By the time he wrestled himself clear of the celebratory huddle, he had rolled his left sleeve up to his shoulder while leaving the armband exposed on his biceps, his charge alone back into his own half pointedly aimed at the Stoke fans packed into the Shed.
Terry is growing used to the abuse to which he is subjected at games these days, the vitriol all born of the allegations over his private life that cost him the England captaincy last month.
The visiting fans delighted in an array of chants – all following the same, predictable theme – and, when they remembered, booed Terry whenever he found himself in possession.
Chelsea’s fans responded with cries of “There’s only one England captain” despite the fact that there had been three at Wembley alone and none of them had been Terry.
At the current rate, and if the abuse continues for much longer, the 29-year-old is in danger of emerging from the Wayne Bridge affair, no pun intended, as an unlikely victim. It has to be hoped that, as he had stated in the aftermath of the Egypt game, a line has been drawn under the unhappy episode.
His own form had suffered over the last month, the high-profile errors against Everton, Internazionale and Manchester City pointing at uncharacteristic fragility.
His display for England in midweek was made to look more assured by his central defensive partner Matthew Upson’s slip for the Egyptian goal, but he was more ruggedly impressive here.
Stoke are not the aggressive long-ball team that some imply, but they boasted rugged and awkward forwards in Mamady Sidibe and Ricardo Fuller.
Terry and the excellent Alex coped admirably as Rory Delap’s throw-ins ripped into the six-yard box and Henrique Hilário, a goalkeeper living on his nerves, heaved himself through the clutch of bodies in search of the ball. Terry offered reassurance in the circumstances.
The captain, raw emotion after his goal aside, will merely be content to have halted this team’s mini-slump. Chelsea had not lost three in a row since October 2002 – when Claudio Ranieri’s side lost to West Ham, Viking Stavanger and Liverpool – and their capitulation to City had been infuriating.
“As players and fans we learn to lose from time to time,” wrote Terry in his programme notes. “But it doesn’t make it any easier, and especially not in the manner that we lost to Manchester City.
“It wasn’t that it brought to an end our 37-match unbeaten run. It was more the way we lost, which was not us at all. We don’t accept that kind of performance and that kind of result. We know all our fans won’t accept it, which is why we have to put things right.”
They did just that here. The holders’ grip on this trophy remains as firm as ever, and their captain’s dip in form appears to have passed.
Courtesy of The Guardian
Tevez: Terry ‘Would Not Survive’ In Argentina
John Terry and Carlos Tevez exchange words during a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on February 27, 2010.
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has launched a verbal attack on England and Chelsea defender John Terry, claiming that if a player in Argentina had an affair with a team-mate’s girlfriend he would be ‘dead’.
Terry was booed on England duty at Wembley for his alleged affair with former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend, but Tevez claims the abuse would have been greater had he hailed from his homeland.
Tevez, a native of Buenos Aires, told the Sun: “I don’t think you can do that with the wife of another player.
“It’s wrong. In my opinion, Terry has no moral code for what he did to Bridge.
“In my neighbourhood if you do that, you lose your legs, or more – you don’t survive.”
Tevez and Terry squared up to each other in Manchester City’s 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, but the former United striker denied Terry’s off-field conduct had anything to do with it.
“I didn’t fight with Terry because of that,” Tevez said.
“I fought with him because he took me by the shirt and I didn’t like it. I became furious with him because of that.”
Tevez also laid in to Terry’s team-mate Michael Ballack. “I have always had problems with Ballack but, you know, it is just football, not personal issues between us.
“I don’t know, maybe he doesn’t like me, as I don’t like him.”
With thanks to the telegraph.co.uk
Wayne Bridge Snubbs John Terry
Wayne Bridge snubbed John Terry at the Man City vs Chelsea match.
There were no warm and fuzzy feelings between Wayne Bridge and John Terry during the Chelsea and Man City match.
Bridge refused to shake hands with Terry.
See what happens.
Pienaar At Home Away From Home
Steven Pienaar feels at home in
Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar insists he is happy at Goodison Park after speculation surfaced over his future.
The South Africa international, who is out of contract at the end of next season, had been linked with a move away from Merseyside.
Manchester City, Arsenal and Bayern Munich were all reported to be tracking the skilful midfielder, who is a key member of David Moyes’ squad.
With Marouane Fellaini ruled out for the remainder of the season as he requires surgery on a serious ankle injury, Moyes will be loath to see another of his star names distracted.
But the 28-year-old has allayed the fears of his manager and the club’s supporters by pledging his future to the Toffees.
Pienaar said: “I feel this is my home. The supporters have always been good to me and I always give 100 per cent.”
“I definitely aim to play here for a lot longer, why not?
“Talk of moving is only rumours and I’m definitely enjoying my football here.”
Pienaar scored an impressive opener in the Europa League last-32 first leg meeting with Sporting Lisbon.
Courtesy if Sky News
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Importance of Star Players In Brazil
Robinho's return marks the start of a new era, even if he doesn't play.
The figure of the idol, the big name star player, is much, much more important in Brazilian football than it is in England.
A quick example. When Adriano came back to Flamengo of Rio earlier this year he instantly put an extra 50,000 on the gate.
A crowd of 18,351 had turned up for their previous home game, against Aval, but two weeks later, with Adriano in the team, 68,217 were there to watch the team against Atletico Paranaense.
“The emperor has returned,” they sang in celebration – no-one wanted to remember that, in his first spell back in 2000/1 the chant had been very different – “Sell him!” In between he had become a big star, especially for his goals against Argentina, and that was all that mattered.
Similarly, most Santos fans will be so delighted to have Robinho back that the sulk act he pulled before leaving the club in 2005 will be forgotten.
As with Adriano, the bulk of Robinho’s wages will not be paid by the club. A pool of sponsors has been brought together and this type of arragement is becoming increasingly popular in Brazilian football.
The recent gain in strength of the Brazilian currency is making these deals more viable; Brazil’s clubs are becoming more professional in their marketing operations, and then there is a desire to come home from players either at the end of their career or those, such as Adriano, Fred and Robinho, who have run into personal problems or who seem unwilling to knuckle down to the discipline of European football.
Going Cross Atlantic
Before he became coach of Brazil, Dunga reflected on the importance of crossing the Atlantic in his career: “Our press like to say that Brazilian players move abroad to develop in a tactical sense. But in truth they go to Europe to learn individual and collective responsibility.
“In Brazil, any player who is a little better thinks he can get away with more than the others and behaves irresponsibly, including on the field. And the coach lets him. Abroad, if the athlete doesn’t play for the team, he loses his place,”
It is an excellent analysis. It helps explain why some of the highly skilled Brazilian players come across as spoilt children, because they have been nurtured in a footballing culture that allows them to get away with it. Having to fight for their place, being treated like any other squad member – they thought they were above all that.
Santos are prepared to take Robinho on a six-month loan, a year would make much more sense from their point of view, but none at all from Manchester City’s.
The trouble is that until August, Santos don’t have a great deal of important matches for Robinho to play in.
They haven’t qualified for the Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League, and he can’t do much in the National Championship – it kicks off in May, but after a few rounds comes the interruption for the World Cup, with Robinho presumably heading off to South Africa.
They will also be playing in the Sao Paulo State Championship – by far the strongest of Brazil’s regional competitions, but still a glorified pre-season tournament that clutters up the calendar – and then there is the Brazilian Cup, which is worthwhile because the winner qualifies for the next year’s Libertadores.
The Motivation Behind Robinho’s Return
So, for what is in reality hardly a vital six months in the history of the club, why go to all this trouble?
The answer is because Luis Alvaro Ribeiro has just taken over as Santos president. Bringing back Robinho is his way of announcing his arrival. Which, come to think of it, is the same reason the player ended up at Manchester City.
Robinho didn’t go to Eastlands because his skills were judged as perfect for the needs of the team. His presence gave credibility to the financial strength of the new regime, and helped the club attract other big names. So even if he does move on in August, if never kicks another ball for Man City, Robinho has made some kind of contribution.
Courtesy of BBC Sport’s Time Vickery
HAVE YOUR SAY: Will his return boost his team and for how long?
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