John Terry might be a big name, but, at this stage in his career, he is not what Aston Villa need as they chase promotion.
Rivals Aston Villa and Birmingham City are battling for the signature of departing Chelsea captain John Terry, according to the Mirror.
Terry is out of contract at Stamford Bridge and looking for a new club this summer, with the report suggesting Villa have put a significant offer on the table in an attempt to beat Birmingham to the former England international.
But such a desperate chase for Terry seems a little bizarre given his performances last season, even if he was playing in the Premier League.
The 36-year-old looked way off the pace in his sparing appearances for Chelsea and he is unlikely to be allowed to age any more gracefully in the Championship.
Given Terry’s wages and profile, he would be expected to start regularly, but his slowing legs – he was never quick to start with – would not cope well when facing tireless second-tier forwards twice a week in a relentless schedule.
The easy response is to point to Terry’s experience and claim he would be a positive influence behind the scenes, just as he was at Chelsea.
But there is no guarantee that the defender could offer the same selfless service to a struggling Villa side that he did in the final season of a decorated career in London.
He would have to play and, an exciting proposition though his presence might be, Villa should let that be at St Andrew’s.
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