It is time for Terry to go, says Desailly
MARCEL DESAILLY has told John Terry it is ‘time to go’ at Chelsea having watched him fall out of favour — saying it is just like when Terry ousted him 13 years ago.
Former centre back Desailly left Chelsea in 2004 having been surpassed by Terry and William Gallas towards the end of his glittering club career. And the Frenchman, Chelsea’s captain before Terry, can see parallels now. Terry has played six minutes in the Premier League since September.
‘I left because they were faster than me, better than me and it was my time to go — their time to shine — and now it’s his time,’ Desailly told Sportsmail. ‘It’s great to see that he’s been able to handle it.
‘You have been put to the side because other players are more suited for the tactics required, but you’re still there, still focused. You remind one of the players when he’s not training well, “Oh, what are you doing?”
‘I’m happy because it’s a different phase for John. He’s there to boost and to be in the group.’
Desailly has been credited as a big influence in Terry’s career and says his former protege’s new role is about keeping starters in Antonio Conte’s team on their toes.
‘He’s good because he gives a lot of pressure to the first choice that Conte has selected,’ he added. ‘When you have Terry on the bench, you want to perform because you know that he can change you (out of the team) at any time.’