JT-OH
In a long and often distinguished football career, John Terry has regularly found himself an object of much public ridicule and derision. While most Chelsea fans seem prepared to give their former “Captain, Leader, Legend” a free pass for almost any indiscretion, on or off the pitch, few fans of other clubs could resist a heartless chuckle when the lion-hearted one slipped while missing that penalty in Big Cup final against Manchester United in 2008 before bursting into tears. Then there was that time he needlessly got himself suspended for Big Cup final in 2012 only to turn up for the presentation in full kit anyway – oh how we laughed. And don’t get the Fiver started on that 26th minute palaver against Sunderland, when he arranged for himself to be substituted during his final match at Stamford Bridge with as much pomp and shirt number-related ceremony as possible, just so he could bask in the adoration of his adoring public. Hubris, thy name was England’s Brave John Terry … but now it’s just Plain Old John Terry.
In the buildup to Saturday’s Championship play-off final, POJT finds himself the subject of even more public mockery and ridicule, and much as it pains the Fiver to say so, it all seems a mite unfair. On social media, specifically Twitter – which can usually be relied upon as a forum of extremely nuanced football debate and “banter” – no end of people are pointing and laughing at POJT because he has apparently insisted, in the event of Aston Villa’s return to the Premier League, on a clause in his next contract that will preclude him from having to line up against his beloved Chelsea next season. All of which mockery would be entirely justified except … there isn’t actually much evidence to suggest the Villa skipper has done any such thing.
Yet.
Yes, the Fiver knows POJT went to Villa because he didn’t want to have play against his former club. And yes, the Fiver knows that if Villa get promoted he’ll be entitled to a new one-year deal which he may or may not accept. His manager Steve Bruce certainly hopes it comes to pass and quipped on Wednesday that “we’ll not pick him against Chelsea if that’s what he wants”. While POJT has given no public indication that he will make such a weird, simultaneously loyal and extremely disloyal request, that hasn’t stopped load of people on the internet foaming at the mouth about the 37-year-old’s childishness and lack of professionalism. Having said all that, if any footballer is likely to make such an astonishing demand, we’d bet our bottom dollar on POJT being that guy. But until then, apart from in the court of public opinion, he remains innocent until proven guilty.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I had talks with other clubs and they didn’t sound like a football club. It sounded like marketing, image, you need to sign this, you need to sign that. And I thought wow, that’s not the game I love. It’s all part of football, but it can not be the number one, two, three, four, priority” – To which other club could Jürgen Klopp possibly be referring?
THE FIVEЯ
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BITS AND BOBS
Mauricio Pochettino has successfully written his name on the bottom of a new five-year contract and will receive up to £8.5m every 12 months in exchange.
Manchester United are closing in on the central cog of the Brazilian Working Men’s Club XI, Fred, for £43.7m but have run a mile from Lazio’s £87.4m valuation of Sergej Milinkovic‑Savic.
The nephew of a London gangster says his uncle and dad were behind the notorious theft of the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966.
After receiving many offers, Andrés Iniesta has taken the tough decision to earn £22.5m at Vissel Kobe in Japan. “I am confident Iniesta’s philosophy, leadership and DNA will be a terrific inspiration, not only for Vissel Kobe but all Japanese football society,” gushed owner Hiroshi Mikitani.
West Ham have booked James Collins and Patrice Evra two rooms at the Chateau Do One Retirement Complex and told them to take the hint.
Nasty Leeds have sold a minority stake in the club to the San Francisco 49ers’ investment group in the USA! USA!! USA!!!.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has let the dust settle on Arsène Wenger’s reign for five seconds before tossing some shade: “Over the last few seasons – you have to tell the truth – the club has stagnated a little bit,” he said. “I think everyone is actually a little bit excited to see what happens next season.”
And Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed why he removes his shirt at every opportunity. “My girlfriend tells me I’m a hot guy!” he parped.
STILL WANT MORE?
Thinker, friend, dictator, joker, smoker, midnight toker : Donald McRae on the Jürgen Klopp he’s interviewed.
How do you beat Real Madrid? Like this, writes Real Betis manager Quique Setién, who should know.
In our latest stunning moment from the World Cup: tales from 1966 that don’t feature Pickles the dog, Azerbaijani linesmen or Kenneth Wolstenholme, courtesy of Scott Murray.
Safe standing comes to Shrewsbury: Paul MacInnes investigates.
Relive some belting Liverpool v Real Madrid moments in Classic YouTube.
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