Chelsea’s Premier League season is crumbling in the absence of John Terry, who is leading Aston Villa out of the Championship.
Chelsea probably could have done with John Terry in the last two games.
Even at the ripe old age of 37, it is difficult to imagine Chelsea conceding seven goals in two Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth and Watford with the inspirational captain barking orders at the heart of their back-line.
Chelsea’s loss, however, is very much Aston Villa’s gain. Those who thought Terry was finished when he left his boyhood club on a free last summer and dropped down to the Championship have been left rather red faced.
Because the former England skipper has made a remarkable impact at Villa, starting 20 of their 30 Championship games and helping Steve Bruce’s side up to third place in the second tier table.
His experience, consistency and above all relentless will to win has made a huge impact in a side that has lacked any sort of leadership on and off the pitch in recent years.
Over at Stamford Bridge, however, there appears to be a huge, Terry-shaped hole in Chelsea’s defence, and possibly in the dressing room, too. A 4-1 collapse at Watford on Monday – summed up by dreadful performances by Gary Cahill and David Luiz – has a number of Blues fans pining for their legendary number 26.
But you will not find too many Villa fans worrying about Chelsea’s collapse.
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