Footballers and managers praising John Terry

The Thread.

"I have not always been complimentary about how Chelsea play, because it is the opposite of what we stand for at Barcelona. But I can’t deny that Terry is one of the most committed English players I’ve played against, and a great leader for club and country."

Xavi.

“John Terry is the captain of all team captains, he was born with the captain’s armband on his arm. Even without the band, it’s as if he wears it anyway, and that’s how it ought to be. He’s different from all the others."

Carlo Ancelotti.

1/3

"Chelsea is his home, it always has been, ever since the youth squad. One word from him, and the locker room holds its breath. He’s the first one to sit down at meals, the first one to stand up. Being part of this club is his mission, that’s how he was made."

2/3

"He pays close attention to youth team, he keeps up, he knows all the scores, he misses nothing. He works twice as hard as everyone else, he has the sense of responsibility of someone who runs a company, a people, a philosophy that above all has to win.”

3/3

"He may be one of the most controversial players in the history of the British game for non-footballing reasons but John Terry has been one of its most reliable and consistent performers out there on the pitch."

Jimmy Greaves.

1/2

"A defender’s defender — unbelievably solid with such a none-shall-pass attitude — Terry has been the captain and linchpin of Chelsea’s recent golden years."

Jimmy Greaves.

2/2

“I would have to say John Terry is the toughest defender I’ve played against. He reads the game really well, he’s physical and he’s tough to play against so you know you’re always in for a tough game when you play against him.”

Wayne Rooney.

“He was not only a great player, he certainly still is, but he was also a great coach on the pitch. I saw him here once at London Colney playing with the Under 21s and the way he coached the team as a player was absolutely marvellous."

Arsene Wenger.

1/2

"He was a real leader and he had a great career as well, let’s not forget that. That’s never a coincidence. The guys who last such a long time have something special."

Arsene Wenger.

2/3

"He was the symbol of cohesion inside Chelsea’s club because him, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Cech were the players who carried the club’s values for long periods.”

Arsene Wenger.

3/3

“The toughest opponents for me are the defenders who are tough in the way they play, where you can’t see a way through. Paolo Maldini and John Terry are two of the toughest men I have met on the field.”

Ronaldinho.

“John Terry was very good with his feet, both left and right. He could spray the ball around. And if you were looking for someone to come and lead your team, you’d look no further than him.”

Alan Shearer.

“Truly inspirational. On top of that, to have the qualities that meant you stayed at the very top of world football consistently throughout your time. You were never content, always driving yourself and others onto continued success at the very top. A true GREAT.”

Frank Lampard.

“In my opinion the best centre-half in world football for a long time. I think you could’ve taken John for granted, having someone that good behind you, and he’d often play on the left side directly behind me."

Frank Lampard.

1/2

"I can remember on one hand the number of times he was caught out for pace. He’s technically brilliant and I know John worked at that.”

Frank Lampard.

2/2

“I had no doubt Terry was going to become a superstar. His character and personality impressed me straight away. He stepped in as a young player and looked as if he’d played forever – never scared. He would stand up to anyone, no matter their status.”

Gianfranco Zola.

“There have been a lot of great centre-backs in PL history, but I think he has been the best that we’ve seen. For the next 20 or 30 years, that position at the near post, when we see other defenders doing it, we’ll call it ‘the John Terry position’."

Jamie Carragher.

1/2

"We’re not just talking about a big aggressive centre-back. Terry is always in the right position. His understanding of where to be, his reading of the game and reading crosses cannot be matched. I don’t think we’ve ever seen anyone better.”

Jamie Carragher.

2/2

“Anyone who wants to be a centre-half would have to say that John Terry is a role model. John has never had blistering pace, but he didn’t need it because he’s always in the right place for every situation."

Chris Smalling.

1/2

"He also gets the other players to work around him and that has enabled him to have such a great career. John is a class performer. He has played all season and, while Chelsea’s results haven’t been great, I have no doubt that he’s definitely got more years in the locker."

2/2

“He’s big, good in the air and he’s powerful. But he is a very intelligent footballer who reads the game so well. You come off feeling like you’ve been in a real game.”

Wayne Rooney.

“John Terry has been the best Premier League defender I’ve seen, the best centre-back I’ve ever played against. He’s just been a warrior.”

Jamie Redknapp.

“I just feel that the way he is viewed obscures his playing qualities. His ability on the ball never gets spoken about. How many defenders in world football can switch the play with their weaker foot?”

Jamie Carragher.

“John Terry was one of the greatest captains I had in my career. He’s an extraordinary player with a winning mentality, and a great professional.”

Juliano Belletti.

“It’s not only on the field that John has the qualities every club desires. It’s off the field too. He leads the club, leads the players in that dressing room wonderfully well and always has done.”

Ray Wilkins.

“He’s very English in his personality and a great leader of his team. He never gives in. Terry is strong and surprisingly quick. He also scores some important goals.”

Samuel Eto’o.

“I think John Terry was, and still is, Chelsea blood, coming from the Academy. It is quite remarkable, the career he has had as captain, everything he has achieved. He is a great player, a great leader, always competitive, very hard to play against.”

Emmanuel Petit.

“He has been around forever and his consistency has been amazing. A natural leader and a very good player positionally.”

Alan Smith.

“We knew that in the leadership aspect he was going to be a great player, and you’ve seen it – he’s a real leader for his team. But as a player I was not expecting him to do so well for so long. He’s 34, he’s still performing well."

Marcel Desailly.

1/3

"He’s tactically very clever, he can anticipate to block the opponent, not giving them space, winning the psychological battle – he’s very strong in that aspect."

Marcel Desailly.

2/3

"Physically he’s a heavyweight, he’s having problems with his back, and he’s probably changed his lifestyle – diet, sleeping. He’s been very strict with it and that’s why he’s still one of the best defenders in the Premier League.”

Marcel Desailly.

3/3

“John Terry has been one of the columns of the team for the last few years. John has been a great contributor to the many successes the club has had in the last few years."

Gianfranco Zola.

1/2

"He is one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players, certainly one of the most inspirational and charismatic. It is no coincidence the club has been so successful in the last few years. John has been a big part of it.”

Gianfranco Zola.

2/2

“JT was a very good player. He could read the game, he had everything; he could play very tough, good with the head, a great leader, could finished game after game after game without making any mistakes."

Avram Grant.

1/2

"If he did make mistakes, you could be sure he’d be better in the next game. A good character, good player, and one of the best ever for England, for sure.”

Avram Grant.

2/2

"I haven’t seen him play badly. That’s the truth. He was always helping everybody. He has been a massive support to me.

When I started my first games last year he was always talking to me. He is a legend and a very good leader. I have learnt a lot from him.”

Kurt Zouma.

“He is definitely one of the greatest or maybe the greatest player of Chelsea’s history. He has won everything for this club. He is respected by all of us.”

Willian.