Jose Mourinho: I thought John Terry was finished... but now I've revived him he should be playing for England
- Upon Jose Mourinho's Chelsea return he feared the worst for John Terry
- But Terry is on course to have played every minute in the league this term
- Mourinho is convinced Terry is 'in condition to play international football'
When Jose Mourinho arrived back at Chelsea in 2013 to begin his second spell in charge of the club, he was reunited with a handful of his old players.
Among them was John Terry, his former captain and an inspirational presence in the two Premier League titles Mourinho had won in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
Yet the Chelsea manager feared he was inheriting a player in decline — one who was often injured, seemed to struggle to play consecutive games and, with a year left on his contract, looked on his way out. Indeed, Mourinho feared he would be the manager to call time on Terry’s Chelsea career.
Chelsea captain John Terry has seen a revival in his career since Jose Mourinho returned to the club
However Mourinho feared Terry was past his best when he returned to the west London club in 2013
Now the Englishman is on course to have played every single Premier League minute this season
Yet on Monday night Terry, 34, will captain the Premier League champions at West Bromwich and is on course to have played every minute of the 38 league games, along with Eden Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic. His renaissance over the past two years had been one of the most remarkable features of Chelsea’s title triumph this season.
And with an England squad to be announced next week, his continued absence — despite being the best English centre-half and being sorely missed at the World Cup last year — remains a political conundrum.
Intriguingly, Mourinho does not believe that Terry’s international retirement is the reason for his fitness and form; the Chelsea boss believes he could maintain his current levels even if he had the additional strain of international football. ‘I thought he was over when I arrived, because he hadn’t played for the previous two years in consecutive matches,’ said Mourinho. ‘He was not an option for the managers. He was injured. The managers preferred many others in front of him.
Mourinho is so positive Terry can still perform at the highest level that he thinks he can still play for England
The Blues boss disagrees that Terry's decision to quit international football has played a part in his revival
‘I thought there was something wrong and that he couldn’t get back to his normal level. When I signed for Chelsea he had one more year of contract and I wanted to respect that year and see what was going on.
‘We spoke and he knew my nature perfectly. My nature is: “I owe you a lot, but I give you nothing that you don’t deserve.” He knew that was my way of being a manager, and he was prepared already. He told me then that he would prove that he deserves a place in the team, so it was a very simple process.
‘Obviously, he was fantastic. This season wasn’t second in relation to his best seasons, in 2004-05 or 2006-06. He surprised me in the beginning because I thought he was in trouble. I had been in Italy and Spain and not here. My contacts with Chelsea people were not about football. They were: “Happy Christmas, how are things?”
Terry and central defensive partner Gary Cahill (right) have formed a solid bond in the Chelsea back line
‘The only thing I knew was that with different managers he was not playing. I knew no more. But he started pre-season. I know he likes the way we work, our methodology. He feels good with that kind of work. I always thought he was going to improve and I’d have a good player. But, in the end, he came to a fantastic level.’
Many believe his decision to quit international football in September 2012, after being found guilty by an FA commission of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, is key to his revival. Mourinho disagrees.
‘He’s in condition to play international football,’ said Mourinho. ‘I think it’s just a decision based on other issues and factors that I didn’t want to interfere with or give any opinion; just respect his decision, and that of Roy [Hodgson] and the FA. This season he’s showing his condition is very good. I think he could do it.’
Terry (centre), Didier Drogba (left) and Petr Cech (right) lead the Blues to a Capital One Cup victory in March
Asked if Terry was the best centre half in the Premier League, Mourinho said: ‘The best in the Premier League are Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma.’
Terry had struggled with injuries under Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo and Rafa Benitez before Mourinho arrived. Had a different manager been appointed, Mourinho claims that Terry’s Chelsea career would be over.
‘I think he knows that, without me, he probably wouldn’t be at Chelsea now,’ he said. ‘But I also know that, probably without him, I wouldn’t be a Premier League champion. Probably, with another manager he wouldn’t play. And without playing he wouldn’t have another contract.
Over the years Terry formed a close bond with former Chelse vice-captain Frank Lampard (left)
‘This is not about the club, but the managers. If the managers don’t want the players, and the player doesn’t play, the club has to open the door. If a player is not important, sooner or later he leaves. Under me, he has had two new contracts.’
Mourinho also revealed that Terry thanked him for his reprieve but he had not reciprocated. ‘This is not about words or thanks,’ he said. ‘This is about what you do, what you feel, and this is the most important thing. He worked with me five seasons. Five seasons is a lot, and five seasons, three Premier League titles and lots of success for the club and himself. So I have to rate him, obviously, as one of my best players.’
It is some compliment. And if Terry can manage two more games, it will be some achievement for a man on the verge of being forcibly retired.
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