Terry: I just could not have played against Chelsea
Former England captain John Terry says he rejected more lucrative offers from Chelsea’s Premier League rivals to join Championship club Aston Villa on a one-year deal.
After spending 22 years at Stamford Bridge, where he won five Premier League titles and 10 other major honours, 36-year-old defender Terry became a free agent on Saturday and was unveiled as a Villa player yesterday.
He revealed the prospect of facing his former long-time employers Chelsea with a new top-flight team - such as confirmed suitors Swansea or West Brom - dissuaded him from staying in the Premier League.
“Playing against Chelsea just doesn’t sit right with me, to be honest,” he said.
“Whether that’s different in a year’s time, I don’t know. The raw emotion of leaving the club after so long there just didn’t sit right with me.
“I had a lot of big financial offers to play in the Premier League and still play at the top, but once I took that decision out of it - that I wasn’t playing in the Premier League - this was an easy one for me.
“For a few weeks I switched off and a lot of managers gave me a lot of time and respect to make my decision and come to terms with it.
“After 22 years at Chelsea it took a few weeks longer than I probably predicted. They were 22 fantastic and unbelievable years that I will never forget but I’m excited about this challenge here of getting us up.”
The Swans and Baggies were not the only clubs hoping they would be the chosen destination for Terry’s next step, with Birmingham having offered terms as well.