John Terry was a player who always brought an edge to his game, but there’s one current Premier League star he admits would have given him a tough time, even when he was at his best.
Throughout his career, Terry came up against some of the top strikers in the game.
His defensive play was a key factor in Chelsea’s success during that era and played a major part in each of the five Premier League titles he helped win.
Terry rarely came off second best against an opponent. But there’s one player today who fits that mould, and someone he thinks could have given him trouble back then as well.
John Terry admits Erling Haaland would have been a tough matchup
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, John Terry pointed out Erling Haaland as one of the few forwards in today’s game who has really impressed him.
Terry said: “I probably shouldn’t be shocked [by how good Haaland is], to be honest.”
The former Chelsea captain often played above his physical level through sheer determination alone, always rising to meet whatever challenge came his way. His comments about Haaland reflect just how much respect he holds for players built like him.
Terry went up against some of the Premier League’s most prolific forwards during his career, but few posed the same kind of threat as Haaland does today.
The Norwegian has started the current campaign in typical fashion, with 14 goals in his first 11 appearances, and there’s no sign of him slowing down.
Sitting down for a chat with Livesport Daily, Terry said: “I think, well, apart from him [Haaland], I think I’d be quite comfortable.”
He added: “I think when I look back in the era that I played and the players that I played against, the strikers, every week was a really tough game for me.”
“So playing against Arsenal, you play against Henry, Bergkamp. You play against Man United, Rooney, van Nistelrooy, Tevez. You play against Liverpool again; Michael Owen comes to mind; Emile Heskey comes to mind.
“You go to Bolton; Kevin Davies was probably one of my toughest opponents as well. And then again going back to Harry Kane at Tottenham – top player.”
Terry isn’t alone in his thinking either – Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez recently named Haaland as the toughest opponent he’s faced.
John Terry’s recent Manchester City connections
Terry has had a lot to say about Manchester City lately. He started by recalling how Chelsea missed out on signing Sergio Aguero before he joined City – another world-class striker, for that matter.
More recently, Terry revealed that Man City tried to sign him while he was in his prime. Unfortunately for Chelsea, Aguero never made the move to Stamford Bridge. But fortunately for the club, Terry stayed loyal throughout his career.
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