5 most iconic moments of Ex-Chelsea Skipper John Terry

Former England and Chelsea captain John Terry has announced his retirement from football. There are rumours that he will join Thierry Henry's backroom team at Aston Villa. There is also a speculation that he may join Chelsea’s support staff.

John Terry is best remembered for spending 19 years as a professional with Chelsea, he won 17 major trophies at Chelsea which included 5 Premier League titles and 1 Champions League honour.

Terry played more than 800 professional games and finally called time on his career after finding it difficult to get an English club take his services as a player. His move to Spartak Moscow didn’t materialize as he didn’t want to leave England. Terry had a moment to forget in the 2008 CL final in Moscow where he missed a penalty which gave Manchester United the title.

Terry played 78 times for the English National team and was regarded as the best English defender in his era. Some of the most remembered moments of John Terry are the FA Cup and League double in 2010, first captain to win FA Cup at the new Wembley, and the header against Barcelona in 2005 during the round of 16 match at the Bridge.

Here we take a look at 5 of the most iconic moments in John Terry’s Chelsea career.

#5 Named Club captain in 2004

Marcel Desailly’s retirement in 2004 prompted Jose Mourinho to look for a new Captain within the team. He identified John Terry’s ability to lead the team and be inspirational. Terry was handed over the captaincy at the tender age of 24 and he did not disappoint. Leading the team to some of the major honours throughout his career which started from the 2004-05 Premier league triumph.

Terry had been at the club since the age of 14 and this was indeed a moment to remember for him. Terry was the defensive base on which Mourinho formed his tactics which lead to Chelsea winning the league after a gap of 50 years.

#4 2004-05 Premier League title

2004 was not only significant because he wore the captain’s armband but also because Chelsea won the league after a gap of 50 years. Terry and Carvalho formed a solid partnership at the back which allowed Drogba and co. to focus on attack. Chelsea managed to get 95 points at the end of the season which was a Premier League record.

Terry showed his leadership skills and inspired the team to aim higher and get more clinical during the important matches.

John Terry was the most important member of the ‘Special one Mourinho’ as he started a new Chelsea revolution.

#3 The ‘full kit’ celebration in the 2012 Champions League Final

John Terry was suspended for the 2012 Champions League final which was played at the Allianz Area against Bayern Munich. Chelsea won a tense game on penalties defeating Bayern Munich at their home. But the most interesting part of the match was John Terry celebrating the win in ‘full kit’ even though he was not a participant in the final.

It showed how much the win meant to Terry as he was finally able to erase that rainy night in Moscow 2008 against Manchester United. John Terry will always be remembered as the pioneer of the Chelsea revolution.

#2 League and FA Cup Double in 2010

2010 was the first time when Chelsea won the League and FA Cup double in their history. Carlo Ancelotti’s first season was a great one for John to remember. John Terry also became a rare English skipper to lift both the League and FA Cup in the same year. Drogba was in scintillating form.

And just like the 2004-05 season, the Chelsea defence under John Terry was clinical as ever. The triumph gave him some respite from 2008 Champions League final debacle against United.

#1 The header against Barcelona in 2005

Chelsea lost the first leg of the round of 16 match at the Nou Camp. The return leg in Stamford Bridge was full of emotions. Chelsea led the game 3-2 till the 15th minute but were losing on the away goal rule. In stepped John Terry, the Captain, and scored a wonderful header, helping Chelsea progress to the next round. The match was a symbolic one as it paved the way for Chelsea’s great run in Champions League football thereafter.

John Terry played in some great Champions League matches but the one against Barcelona stands out.