Jose Mourinho’s substitution of captain John Terry at half-time of Sunday’s match with Manchester City was as much a political move as it was a footballing one.
By removing Terry, ostensible to add more pace to the Chelsea defence, Mourinho was sending a message to the Chelsea board that he needs defensive reinforcements, preferably in the form of Everton defender John Stones.
By taking out Terry, Mourinho was also sending a message to the whole Chelsea squad that nobody’s place in the team is safe.
The Chelsea captain is as well versed in backroom politics as anyone, as Mourinho and André Villas-Boas have found out. So I was not surprised to see in the Mail today that Turkish club Fenerbahce are hoping to sign Terry on a free transfer this summer.
I wonder how the Mail got that story?
The Mail go on top say that:
The Chelsea captain has a year left on his contract and Fenerbahce hope to sign him on a free transfer.
Terry can start negotiations with overseas clubs from January and the Turkish giants will keep tabs on developments regarding the veteran defender’s future ahead of a potential Bosman swoop.
Fenerbahce, it is understood, could offer Terry in the region of £2.5million a season net to join, plus a hefty signing-on bonus.
Terry will make a decision on his future later in the season but has shown a willingness to move to Turkey in the past. Galatasaray tried to sign him last year and he gave serious consideration to a switch.
We are only two weeks into the season but the off the field drama like this leaked Terry story is just another distraction that Chelsea have to cope with.
I am not a big fan of the September international break but Chelsea fans must be counting down the days until it comes, as it will give the club a welcome respite from the daily barrage of negative stories about their club.