In the eyes of many football fans, John Terry is the greatest defender of the Premier League era.Plenty of high-profile names give him stiff competition for that title including Rio Ferdinand, Vincent Kompany, Tony Adams and perhaps even Virgil van Dijk.But Terry, who spent 19 successful years at Chelsea and lifted the Premier League trophy five times, is unquestionably part of the conversation.It was fitting that Terry won the title in his final season at Stamford Bridge, although there’s no doubt that he was in decline during his final years at the club.One of the former England captain’s lowest moments came during a Premier League clash between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in August 2015 when he was subbed off by Jose Mourinho at half-time.Mourinho confirmed after his side’s 3-0 defeat that the decision to withdraw Terry at half-time was purely tactical.MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: John Terry of Chelsea sits on the bench as Jose Mourinho, manager of Chelsea talks to his assistants during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on August 16, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

What did Robbie Savage say about John Terry?

It was a big talking point and Robbie Savage wrote a column saying what many others were at the time: that age was catching up with Terry.

“I’m convinced it sent a different signal – the beginning of the end for Terry as the indispensable rock at the heart of defence,” Savage wrote in The Mirror. 

“Terry will be 35 in December, and age is finally catching up with him. There is no shame in that.

“I believe it was a simple message to Terry that his time is nearly up, in the same way another Blues legend, Frank Lampard, was politely shown the door 15 months ago.”

Savage added: “Terry has been a fantastic servant to Chelsea and is a winner.

“But when do you admit that, as a player, you can no longer do what you used to do?”

SWANSEA, WALES - APRIL 11: Media pundit Robbie Savage looks on before the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Everton at Liberty Stadium on April 11, 2015 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

John Terry's brutal response to Robbie Savage

These words clearly hit a nerve because Terry, who was struggling individually as Chelsea slumped to 15th in the table, went for Savage in a particularly brutal press conference a few months later.

“I’ve come under criticism, individually, from certain players and individuals, players I’ve looked up to and played alongside,” Terry said

“I’ve taken that on the chin: Rio, Carra, Neville, the very best I’ve come up against in the game. I take that on the chin. When others speak, maybe I don’t take it on the chin.

“When players have not had a career, played at a really bad level in their career … Robbie Savage being one. He’s dug me out a couple of times.

“You take it as a footballer, as an individual. I’ll take it from the Rios, Carraghers and Neville. All day long. From others? Nah.”

Yikes. That was absolutely scathing.

Looking back, it was actually quite harsh, wasn’t it?

Savage didn’t have a bad career by any means, even if Terry achieved a lot more during his.

DERBY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Derby captain Robbie Savage makes a point during the Coca-Cola Championship match between Derby County and Newcastle United at Pride Park on February 9, 2010 in Derby, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Robbie Savage's response to John Terry

The former Wales international claimed he “only said what most of the country was thinking”.

“John’s entitled to his opinion,” the former Wales international said in a separate column for The Mirror.

“It’s a shame he thinks 99% of the industry – those of us who have not won the title or Champions League titles – is unqualified to express theirs.”

He added: “Apparently I am not entitled to venture opinions about Terry… because I have not won major trophies like fellow pundits Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher or Gary Neville.

“I only played 346 games in the Premier League, captained four clubs in the top flight and won 39 international caps. So much for playing at a really bad level.”

2 June 2001: Marek Kozminski of Poland gets past Robbie Savage of Wales during the match between Wales and Poland in the 2002 World Cup Qualifying Group 5 at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster/ALLSPORT

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