Former West Ham United academy product John Terry has been making the headlines this week with his Chelsea future up in the air.
The Blues have not met with their legendary captain to discuss his future, with the 36-year-old’s contract expiring at the end of the season.
The Times reported on Tuesday that the former England defender would not be offered a new deal.
Speculation has been rife since over Terry’s next move with the former England defender linked to the MLS and China.
But could Chelsea’s London rivals West Ham bring Terry back where he started his career and fulfil one of his dad’s lifelong dreams in the process.
Chelsea’s John Terry
Terry’s dad Ted – who had a major influence on his son’s early career – is a big Hammers fan and was reported by the now defunct News of the World back in 2009 as having dreamed of seeing John pull on the famous claret and blue before he retires.
While Terry has always insisted he would not want to play for another Premier League club when he leaves Stamford Bridge, former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp says his old club should test the water.
Speaking back in February, Redknapp told BT Sport – as reported by the Daily Mail – that a move back across London would make sense.
Harry Redknapp
“West Ham would be a good move for West Ham and John,” Redknapp said.
“He was at West Ham as a schoolboy.”
Whether West Ham fans would want Terry is another matter entirely, though.
It says something that the Chelsea skipper often received more abuse over the years than the man Hammers supporters love to hate, Frank Lampard.
Ahead of the Blues’ visit to West Ham’s new London Stadium in the EFL Cup earlier this season, a homophobic chant was circulated in a bid to get fans singing it to Terry, as reported by the likes of the Mirror.
From a football perspective Terry would provide exactly what West Ham need, an experienced quality defender who would fit into Slaven Bilic’s new system with three centre backs.
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