Skipper Terry no longer top dog
Stamford Bridge is never slow to crank up a chant of ‘there’s only one England captain’ even if that has not strictly been true for the last 12 months. This time, however, the volume was increased as Terry led out his side and once again the words carried conviction.
No matter that Capello has risked upsetting a dressing room already bristling with fractured egos and dented pride, the Italian has decided that Terry should be the lieutenant on the pitch, warts and all, and the matter is now closed. At least until the next time the central defender commits an indiscretion in his private life.
Terry is not a man to wear his badges of honour discreetly and there is no doubt his chest will be pumped out all the more now.
Yet while he has been restored as top dog in the national team, he is in danger of seeing his standing fall on home turf.
Terry, it is now becoming clear, is no longer the main man in the Chelsea defence. His role now is to play understudy to David Luiz, who once again showed that at least one of Carlo Ancelotti’s two major January signings is having no trouble at all bedding in.
Luiz was bought for his pace, his tackling ability, his athleticism and his ability on the ball, all of which he displayed commendably. He has also provided the unexpected bonus of goals.
His goal against Manchester United was a textbook strike that brought Ancelotti’s side back into the game and could still prove decisive in the title race. First things first, though, and Chelsea’s immediate target is to finish in the top four, preferably third to avoid any risk of them being denied entry to next season’s Champions League should Tottenham finish fifth yet win the competition this season.
Luiz’s contribution then was vital with his 79th-minute header achieving what his forwards had failed to do and find a way through Manchester City’s massed defences.
That was his most eye-catching contribution. Equally effective was his work as part of a back four that now looks more solid than an at any time over the last two seasons.
In the corresponding fixture last season, Terry and Ricardo Carvalho were run ragged by Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez in a performance that foretold the changing of the defensive guard at the club.
This time there was no Tevez or Bellamy to strike fear into Chelsea hearts and by comparison Edin Dzeko was little more than an immobile lump. But even so, Luiz’s presence reassured and will provide Terry much needed cover as the England man’s pace dims.
Praising the contribution of Luiz and Ramires, the scorer of the second goal, Ancelotti said: “Luiz and Ramires, fantastic performances and fantastic goals. Ramires, in particular. He’s improving very well. Luiz’s goal was a surprise.
“David Luiz put his ability, his quality, for the team. When he’s played, he gave fantastic support to the others.”
Terry has every reason to be grateful for that support and Capello must wish he had a similar safety net to put alongside his reinstated captain when England face Wales in Cardiff next weekend.
It may well be that a full-blooded battle against a near neighbour will bring out the best in Terry but the fixture will provide a real test of Capello and Terry’s ability to repair relationships and rebuild bridges between themselves and the senior players who will feel aggrieved at the about-turn.
Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard, the two people with most reason to be upset, will both be missing but it was clear at the World Cup that the camp is not an entirely happy one.
Ancelotti has no doubts it’s the right decision, however. He benefits from Terry’s promotion by getting a player with confidence and standing restored.
“I think John is happy with this,” he said. “I think he will be, so I am very happy. A man is a leader not because he has the armband on his arm. He’s a leader because he’s a professional and he’s at the top, like John Terry is.”
It’s just a shame not everyone agrees.
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