Case for recalling England stalwart too compelling to ignore
Published:He may have been granted more lives for England than the most charmed of moggy’s, but it’s time for Roy Hodgson to swing the international cat flap open again for John Terry’s return and boost England’s chances of avoiding World Cup group-stage capitulation in the process.
A swift return to blighty for Hodgson’s chosen 23 is already the market favourite at 11/10, though making the bold decision to offer Terry another go, could be the key to avoiding World Cup ignominy.
Granted, one strong performance in a big game does not represent ample evidence for an international call-up for any player, that much is true.
But while some calls for the two-time England skipper have surfaced purely on the back of Chelsea’s rebuffing of the Manchester City goal machine at the Etihad, the case for bringing Terry back from Three Lions obscurity has been growing all season.
We don’t have to adore him as a man, but as a player, the 33-year-old has consistently displayed defensive excellence for over a decade and the Chelsea trophy cabinet is testament to that.
It’s no coincidence that since Jose Mourinho’s return and subsequent reinstatement of his trusted foot soldier of campaigns past, Terry has performed brilliantly once again – making 31 appearances to date.
The coincidences don’t cease there either, as Chelsea own the Premier League’s stingiest defence this season, helping in no small part to make them the 9/5 second-favourites to claim the title.
What Terry lacks in pace, he makes up for in positioning and timing of interceptions and this skill set has not yet dulled with age, arguably only improving through experience.
Crucially, though, his Stamford Bridge partnership with Gary Cahill is simply too hard to overlook.
As good a defender as Phil Jagielka is, search deep in your soul and ask yourself which partner you’d rather see line up against Italy in England’s opener.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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