As Frank Lampard noted in his touching Instagram tribute, Chelsea’s announcement on Monday that John Terry will leave the club at the end of the season marks the end of an “incredible era”.
Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack and now Terry. One of the most dominant sides in Premier League history has officially been left to history.
“What a pleasure to play with the greatest defender in Premier League history,” Lampard wrote. “In fact, I'd put him up with any defender in world football of any era.
“He led the club both on and off the pitch from the moment he made his debut. He set standards for everyone, whether it was demanding excellence in training, fighting for every win or respecting how fortunate we were to play for such a great club.
“He was, and is, a legend, not just for his talent but just as much for his desire to get the best out of himself and others around him. That's what made him the most successful captain in the club's history.”
Terry, 36, has spent 22 years at Chelsea, winning 14 honours and making 713 appearances for the club.
Chelsea XI on Terry's debut
You have to go back to the 20th century for his debut. As a fresh-faced 17-year-old, Terry came on as a late substitute in a 4-1 win over Aston Villa in the League Cup.
Gianluca Vialli was Chelsea’s player-manager at the time, and Tore Andre Flo, Dennis Wise, Mikael Forssell and Graeme Le Saux were all in the squad.
Here’s the side that played in Terry’s debut.
GK | Dmitri Kharine
RB | Dan Petrescu
CB | Bernard Lambourde
CB | Michael Duberry
LB | Celestine Babayaro
CM | Gus Poyet
CM | Dennis Wise
CM | Jody Morris
FW | Gianluca Vialli
FW | Tore Andre Flo
FW | Mark Nicholls
Subs:
Kevin Hitchcock
Jon Harley
John Terry
Neil Clement
Gianfranco Zola
That team would go as far as the quarter-finals of the League Cup before falling to Wimbledon.
Terry made a total of seven appearances in the season, including two as a substitute in the Premier League.
It was to be the beginning of a long and fruitful career at Chelsea. Four Premier League titles, five FA Cup trophies and a Champions League winner’s medal, too.
Not bad, that.