When BBC Sport pundits Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards ranked the hardest players in Premier League history in March 2021, John Terry failed to make the top 10 shortlist.The usual suspects were there - Duncan Ferguson, Roy Keane, Vinnie Jones and so on - but Terry was overlooked.That might come as a surprise to some given that not many players messed with the Chelsea hero during his illustrious career.The legendary centre-back, who is regarded by many as the best defender of the Premier League era, would always put his body on the line and was never afraid to stick his head where it hurts.Was Terry an underrated Premier League hardman, then? Quite possibly.
When Kovacic regretted shaking John Terry's hand
Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic would probably say so after coming off worse during a post-match handshake in December 2019.
Terry was back at Stamford Bridge for the first time since leaving Chelsea at the end of the 2016-17 campaign in his role as Aston Villa’s assistant manager and watched on as his side suffered a 2-1 defeat in west London.
Kovacic played the full 90 minutes and emerged unscathed - until he encountered Terry by the tunnel.
The Croatia international was left holding his hand in agony after receiving a ‘Bone Crusher’ from the Chelsea legend.
Watch the funny clip here…
Terry waved his hand back to the wincing Kovacic to say sorry but the damage was done.
Chelsea posted the footage on their Instagram page alongside the caption: “Easy on the handshake, John!”
Terry replied with the strong arm emoji and wrote: “Sorry mate”.
It was reported that Kovacic left Stamford Bridge with a bandaged hand that night but whether the injury was caused by JT’s Hulk-like handshake is still unclear.
A lesson for all Premier League footballers, though: think twice before shaking Terry’s hand.
Like Kovacic, you might end up immediately regretting it!
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