Terry, the Maldini of Stamford Bridge

John Terry is a Blue for ever. So says his new manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was in fine form at his first Stamford Bridge press conference.

"No, John Terry won't be captain next season," teased the Italian when the predictable question was raised amid mounting speculation that the defender was on his way to Manchester City.

Ancelotti, speaking his newly-learnt English with cool authority, not only said that Terry would be "at Chelsea for ever", but also compared him favourably with AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini.

Ancelotti said: "Terry is very close to Maldini for professionalism, for quality, and he will be the best captain for Chelsea."

Really? The no-nonsense England centre-back and winner of the 'Father Of The Year' award has had more than his fair share of off-field problems, and a fair few tantrums on the pitch too.

As role models go, he's hardly in the same league as Maldini, who spent almost 25 years at AC Milan and became one of the greatest ever ambassadors of the glorious game.

And, unlike Terry, he didn't miss a penalty which cost his club victory in a Champions League final.

Can Terry really be compared with Maldini? Or is he simply an overrated, heart-on-his-sleeve defender of the English school? And will City get their man? Have your say in the boxes below

Comments

[Johnty, Newcastle]

I see Terry is demanding to be able to speak to Man C. Demanding indeed, doesn't this guy have a contract with Chelsea - but I forgot, its the money talking again. How greedy are these footballers, nothing matters but money. Terry will go anywhere if the cash is right - loyalty goes right out of the window.

[mo]

let jt decide what he wants to do.stop ben jealouse of city and get a life .

[croc]

Terry never has been and never will be an international player, slow average in the air never retains possition in the takle
very poor reader of the game
He has been a very lucky boy
one good season and carried by Carvaliho

[the kid]

going on about loyalty iv just read all those clubs trying to sign el neno chelsea,real, mancity and the filth man u and he,s already told you all who he want,s to dedicate is future too not like ronaldoo and terry following the big bucks and not for football, your a disgrace your as bad as manure they caused it all and now we,v lost the plot debt debt debt you all make out as tough your rich and ya nothing but ten bob millionairs plstic plastic plastic like ya selfs. well done fafa getting evsrybody to exstend their contracts lets hope loyalty does pay for us ynwa

[BlueAndy2525]

JT has always cited Tony Adams as being a great influence on him as a footballer and as a human being. Now we will see how much so! Adams has not been a perfect human being (who is?)but his loyalty to his club was never tainted by the colour of money...and let's face it, that is at the centre of this debate. You're at the 'Stevie G' crossroads now, JT. You can either become a legend at one club or just a fond memory at two. The choice is yours.

[el cid]

BORING

[mike marah]

there is no comparison between Maldini and Terry.Maldini is a role model in the complete sense.He is a teetotaller ( does not drink alcohol ) whereas Terry is a boozer and drinks like pigs.That`s it.Terry is not at all a role model for football and society.Boozers cannot be role model.

[the kid]

is it just me or as maldini retired what a waste of breath some people talk, city you,v won nothing yet ya geting as bad as ya scumbag neibours trying to buy the title the only one who,s any good is teves and it,s only cause of his arab friends with money who,s bought you or he would not have give you the time of day.but i like city i,v knowen some good city fans in the past good guy,s dont take no prisoners good luck to ya as a liverpool fan who ever stop,s the scumbags gets my support

[dave]

Loyalty, the guys getting to the end of his career. He is reported to be getting offered £300.000 a week and big signing fee. Why not he has given Cheslsea 15 years or more. New challenge. Bigger club, financially. Why should'nt he cash in. If you got offered double your salary on a contract and big bonus to start, im sure you would be off doing it. So wake up everyone and see the game for what it is now. MONEY. We the supporters will end up paying for all this in the end. Its already middle to upper classs sport for supporters. No longer normal working man can take his family to watch a match. Just costs too much. Reduced to SKy. Even thats been messed with. You used to get 46 extra games from Sky for the season for £50 approx. Now same 46 games through the season goingto cost near double that. And they wont be HD. If SKY put on the best show bar none and at the best price why give it to setanta or now ESPN. I mean Stanta always going off picture was crap and Now ESPN. again will be crap picture and small block picture. All because palms are greased.

[richyrich]

john terry is an average player at best and much like the whole chelsea team has a bad attitiude to refs and linesmen.
he is no role model for youngsters and comparing him to the great Maldini is a joke.
If he is chelsea`s best captain then the rest must have been damn awful.

[the kid]

just found my old owen 10 hat out and i was going to throw it away then i was going to burn it now im saving it for all the scum fans when ya win nothing to rub in ya scumbag faces when he fails and torres sucseeds

[Johnty, Newcastle]

Terry, like all the rest of them, will go where ever the most money is - loyalty does not come into the equation. They are all overpaid primadonnas, not worth a small fraction of what they are getting which, to be honest, is quite obscene. Still, as long as the mugs are prepared to fork out their hard earned cash to watch this rubbish it will go on.

[richard brookwell]

Terry isnt going anywhere cause hes chelseas best defender and we need him

[Galvin Green]

Terry has become apart of Chelsea, and its great that he's not leaving. :D

[syd in thirsk]

john terry will not leave chelsea not even for 300k a week

[Derek T Dobson]

John Terry as not many years left at top level,why shouldnt he grab the money while he can,look after number one.

[Lord Ali]

JT is a very good player, Maldini is a great player, JT is still young enough so that maybe he'll close the gap in talent, intelligence and grace, personnel I think he deserves his place in an England shirt, and that Man City would be very lucky to get a player with his leadership and defences qualities. But the real winners if he did transfer would be Man Utd.

[Alan]

Is JT not earning enough at over £100k a week? If the England captain trades Champions League football for a mid-table team, then Capello should strip him from the armband.

[Gaz in Salford]

Terry isn't fit to lace Maldini's boots and I'd hate to see him come to City. Just because he's a good leader doesn't make him a decent footballer and that's what we need at the back