Rio Ferdinand believes that John Terry will be embarrassed with his current situation at Chelsea, as he continues to struggle for game time under Antonio Conte.
As we entered the second half of last season, it appeared that Terry’s time at
Bridge was coming to a close, but the appointment of Conte signalled a reprieve, with the Italian boss looking to utilise his experience in the Chelsea dressing room this term.
However, the 36-year-old’s game time has been severely limited so far this season, as Conte has opted for a consistent starting XI since switching to their hugely successful 3-4-3 formation. The trio of David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta have made up Chelsea’s back-line for a number of months now, looking incredibly solid.
Although Terry said he wouldn’t have a problem if he didn’t play again this term, as that would mean the Blues are still winning and playing well, Ferdinand believes he’ll be embarrassed deep-down as a professional footballer.
“No, I know John, he’s a competitor,” Ferdinand told BT Sport. “There’s a lot of similarities from when I finished my career at Manchester United; sub, coming in when people were injured or when the game didn’t really mean as much, and you’re filling in really.
“It’s embarrassing as a professional footballer and you’ve been playing all your life, you want to continue playing andit’s hard to really accept that you’re not up to the standard.
“He’s been the captain, he’s been Mr. Chelsea for many many years, and knowing him he’s got to say them right things, but deep-down I think we know as competitors that there will be a pride that’s hurt a little bit there, and he’ll be wanting to go out there and play games.
“If they win the league, he’s got to play a certain amount of games to get a trophy, get a medal.”
Terry has averaged four defensive actions-per-game and won 45% of his duels in five Premier League appearances this season, with an average pass accuracy of 91%, as Chelsea sit TOP
on 56 points, nine clear of Arsenal in second.
Next up for them is a home clash with Arsenal this weekend, before taking on Burnley at Turf Moor.
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