Why resignation is John Terry's best option - and who should replace him
Monday, 1 February 2010
Terry reportedly had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former Chelsea colleague Wayne Bridge, an affair which may or may not have resulted in an abortion and Bridge making himself unavailable for England duty. It will almost certainly end up in divorce, if Monday's newspapers are anything to go by.
What does this have to do with football? Firstly, Terry and Bridge are former team-mates for Chelsea and potential team-mates in World Cup 2010. Bridge's apparent refusal to play under Terry is - on the face of it - unproblematic. Ashley Cole dwarfs him in terms of quality and Stephen Warnock would be more than adequate as backup. But the betrayal of a colleague is not easily forgotten and the dressing room may well reflect that regardless of Bridge's absence.
Secondly, Terry is the captain of England. His position is about more than football. He's a talisman off the field, an ambassador for the Football Association. In essence, he is the global face of English football, notwithstanding the ubiquitous David Beckham. This is the latest in a string of allegations against Terry and its serious nature renders it a transgression too far.
England are bidding to win the right to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, and he's not the kind of character we should be putting forward as a representative for that bid. And if we want the England captaincy to retain any of its prestige and mystique, John Terry has to go.
But it's not only the FA who would benefit from Terry's resignation, it's the Chelsea man himself. Deep down, he knows he should go. If he does, it will take the sting out of the press coverage which he will, like it or not, be suffering indefinitely. It would take off the pressure and attention (up to a point) in one swift thrust. It's his one last silver bullet.
Furthermore, acting early would guarantee his place in the England team and ease any potential dressing room unrest. That can only be good got Terry and for England, whose weakness at centre half means Terry is utterly indispensable.
But who should replace Terry should he resign as England skipper? Although I don't think Terry should take this into account when making his decision, Fabio Capello is sadly not spoiled for choice. That's particularly true if Terry goes on moral grounds. Can we then appoint Steven Gerrard or Rio Ferdinand in good conscience? I think not.
To my mind, that leaves Capello with two options. Both have had their problems off the field, but they seem to be firmly in the past. They're both solid, excellent quality players capable of leading by example and being professional and mature in the ambassadorial role of England captain.
Wayne Rooney might sound like a strange choice but he's now in his mid-20s and is the undisputed kingpin at Manchester United. In fact, he's almost doing it all by himself. But my choice would be Frank Lampard, a natural, hard-working leader whose energy and desire to win would grace any team. More importantly, giving him the captaincy might just tease him into becoming England's most prominent player, to make him to England what Gerrard used to be for Liverpool.
On Soccer Saturday the panel noted that Lampard is now more than just the man who arrives late into the box. He gets involved in every move, linking the play with quick passes from the edge of his own box forwards. For me, that puts him in a natural captain's position and helps make him the best option.
So, should Terry resign? And if he does, who should replace him? Over to you.
(Pic via Sportige)
9 comments:
I don't think he should resign... there are tons of shitty guys out there playing football and doing it well... Unless the entire squad goes to Capello and asks him to kick Terry off, he should play. Bridge shouldn't even be on the national team. Yeah, he got screwed, tough. Go beat Terry up or something, not cry about it in the papers.
"There are tons of shitty guys out there playing football and doing it well."
However, I think it's important that the England captaincy is seen as different to other football roles. I think you're slightly harsh on Wayne Bridge too - as far as I'm aware he's been quite reserved in his reaction.
Anyway, the point of the article is not just that Terry should resign on a matter of principle, it's that it would be good for Terry himself. If he resigned his position, the attention would quickly begin to soften.
So he resigns and the pressure will be off him. LOL what planet are you on. Resigning the armband does not solve the problem for him or bridge. Resigning does not reunite the dressing room. Terry has to call the players together sit down ask for their views. If they make it clear he needs to stand down. Then he stands down and leaves England.
The pressure wouldn't be off, but it would most definitely be less intense than it is now. He needs to do *something*, not for the dressing room but because it's the only move he can make if indeed he is bothered about getting abused by the press.
And save the "what planet are you on?" for paid journalists. Disagree with me, by all means.
Some valid points Chris, but controversially I don't think he should resign. This would essentially send a message to the press saying they can affect the outcome of very important decisions, which should only be made by one man, Capello.
Sure it was a shitty thing for him to do, but it happens, and Terry is a great captain. But ultimately it's up to Capello to assess the situation, and if Terry isn't up to the job any more, assign a new captain. It's certainly not Terry's or the press' decision.
Resigning sends out the message that the press pick the England captain not capello.
Terry has to talk to him and his squad. We are all pre-supposing their is a split. the only people with team bridge t-shirts were all foriegn!!!!
The squad will let Terry know what to do and not some 2 bit journo's who think they should have the power.
They have the morals of alley cats and yet they set themselves as judge, juror and executioner.
If you want a comparison, Rob Shepherd one of the most respect sports journo's went down for a stretch for wife beating. Where were the articles and condemnation of this loathsome man. NOWHERE not one article. Two faced self interested, sounds very like another person they are trying to hang.
I think the stature of the England captain is way over played, these players including are Terry are completely faceless as far as the general public are concerned. These guys should be seen as national heroes with a strong connection to the people they represent. Instead we see them play each week, give recycled cliched interviews and read stories about how much money they make. Gazza has become a sad case and bit of a circus clown, but he was at least something english peope had a bit of love for...(cant think of a better phrase at the moment).
Bridge and Terry have already played together for England 8 times since Bridge went to City last January.
Bridge split up with his missus 6 months ago. This affair started months months after the split and she'd return to Surrey.
No English players at Man City joined in with this T-shirt protest. Neither Barry nor SWP. Nor did David James.
Resignation would be both an admission of guilt and proof to the papers they can pick an England team over the head of any manager.
All of these factors are reasons why resignation would be a mistake. Even aside from the fact that JT is england's pre-eminent centre back and voted into Fifa and Uefa's team of the year as voted by players, managers and fans.
The person best placed to judge dressing room unrest is Capello. If he sees problems, it's his decision to take. If he doesn't see an issue then let Terry stay. I hate John Terry, but his personal life is his own (and in this case Wayne Bridge's too)
I also don't buy into this media manufactured spiel that footballers are somehow supposed to be role models expected to lead flawless lives.
By some people's moral standards it could be argued that Cristiano Ronaldo sleeping with various women and prostitutes is completely unbecoming of his status as Portugal's captain.
Where does one draw the line?
All that matters -- rather, should matter -- is if Capello feels his position as captain is causing unrest in the dressing room. Let him be the judge instead of us playing jury and executioner.
As you say, it would be good for Terry if he resigns because the media can't hold that against him anymore, but should he be bullied into stepping down? I don't think so.
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