John Terry refuses to take criticism from players who've played at a bad level

John Terry would welcome criticism from those who’ve achieved what he has

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev, the club skipper John Terry has welcomed criticism from his peers and those who played at a level that he is doing in his career. However, the former England captain has refused to stand for comments from those who have played at “a really bad level”, The Guardian reported.

The English champions have won one, lost one and drawn one in the three group games they’ve played so far. On paper, the toughest fixtures of the group are behind them and they sit in third position in the table. But the Blues have started the season in miserable form and the whole team has been a magnet for warranted criticism of their performances so far.

John Terry among the names that has been brought up among the list of players who haven’t been up to scratch at the London club. Faced with repeated volleys of criticism, John Terry spoke about it ahead of Wednesday’s match.

He said: “I’ve come under criticism, individually, from certain players and individuals, players I’ve looked up to and played alongside. I’ve taken that on the chin: Rio, Carra, Neville, the very best I’ve come up against in the game.

“I take that on the chin. When others speak, maybe I don’t take it on the chin. When players have not had a career, played at a really bad level in their career … Robbie Savage being one. He’s dug me out a couple of times. You take it as a footballer, as an individual. I’ll take it from the Rios, Carraghers and Neville. All day long. From others? Nah.”

On the rumours about a player who would rather lose than win for Mourinho

Both Jose Mourinho and Terry were questioned about rumours emerging that a Chelsea player had said he would “rather lose than win for Mourinho”. While the boss called it a sad accusation and added that it was a better question for his players, John Terry did not shy away from an answer.

The Chelsea captain called it ridiculous and said that if it hadn’t been true, it wouldn’t end well for the player.

“Again, listen, in my whole football career I’ve never heard a player come out with those words. In my whole career. Whether it’s been going bad or really bad. It’s ridiculous I have to sit here and talk about it.

“I’ve seen players’ faces with the disappointment after results, the feeling we’ve let the club and the manager and the fans down. The player wouldn’t be let out of the dressing room, let’s be honest. It wouldn’t go down too well, would it?” Terry said.