With David Luiz coming in and showing calm assurance and good potential, Alex (I imagine) on his way back and Ivanovic having signed a new deal do you think JT should still be an automatic starter for your team?

Do you believe he's still your premier CB or, should it be time to look at new defensive partnerships?

When reading the various dispatches doing the rounds i get the impression JT may be on the wane. I know some here may say its just papersh*te but, has he been the consistent stalwart you've come to depend upon in seasons gone by? Can he still be the main man ala Ferdinand at Manure (who when fit always seems to start)

Your thoughts?

I take it you're some sort of blogger or journalist writing a piece?

Not at all, dude. Just curious to know what you guys think about it.

JT has always been better with a partner that has pace and composure, players like Gallas (damn him), Carvalho, even Dessaily to a point. I think Luiz could actually help him extend his time as first choice with us and could see the 2 of them making a good partnership. The main worry is his fitness, he has carried a back injury for quite some time now which sounds like a chronic injury that has to be managed rather than cured.

JT has always been better with a partner that has pace and composure, players like Gallas (damn him), Carvalho, even Dessaily to a point. I think Luiz could actually help him extend his time as first choice with us and could see the 2 of them making a good partnership. The main worry is his fitness, he has carried a back injury for quite some time now which sounds like a chronic injury that has to be managed rather than cured.

Good point. It would seem as though his body isn't holding up as well these days. But, then he hasn't really been a colossus this season, injury notwithstanding. Ivanovic is no slouch on the deck and has shown he can play both RB and CB. He's been with you guys for a while so i'd've thought he'd be able to build an understanding with JT.

Good point. It would seem as though his body isn't holding up as well these days. But, then he hasn't really been a colossus this season, injury notwithstanding. Ivanovic is no slouch on the deck and has shown he can play both RB and CB. He's been with you guys for a while so i'd've thought he'd be able to build an understanding with JT.

I would argue that, over the entire season he has been as good as ever, one of the few players who can hold their heads up over the past few months. And Ivan is fairly quick but not really a ball playing defender, he`s very similar to JT in the way he defends.

this is a very ridiculous question really,he has been superb this season

there is no way unless JT himself says he isn't good enough to play he should be dropped..he will know himself how well he is playing and if he thinks he is a liability to the team he himself will stand down.

when alex gets back we can finally have rotation in RB and CB areas Luiz and ivanovic both can play in those positions

Not at all, dude. Just curious to know what you guys think about it.

John Terry will still be an automatic first team player for at least another 2 seasons. Physically he isn't very mobile anymore but he can still read the game and his positioning is very good.

The smart thing to do would be to limit his game time to 30, 35, 40 apps to prolong his career but somehow I don't think he'd take too kindly to that and nor does somebody like Ancelotti have the balls to drop him often.

I dont feel that JT has been at his imperious best this season, but i'd still pick him and Luiz ahead of Alex/Ivanovic at centre half.

His main problem as already mentioned is his fitness. More often than not he seems to be hobbling through games, and I wouldn't mind betting that he is taking injections to get through matches again.

It's true that he operates better, and more consistantly alongside someone with a bit more pace, and I can see him n' Davide doing brilliantly together. Seriously, I think Luiz's debut was the best I have seen from ANY Chelsea player since Robben. He ooozes confidence and has a technique that is head and shoulders above most of our squad, let alone defenders. I can see him being our captain at some point in future.

Having said all that, I also believe that we wouldn't have been anywhere as near as succesful over the last 8 or so years without Terry. In our first league winning season, he was an example to everyone. PFA player of the year.

Age catches up with everyone!

Edited February 16, 201115 yr by Elliott

JT is still the best defender in the PL. And plus people forget that Luiz has just had one game with us...

JT is still the best defender in the PL.

Okay. Whatever you say, boss.

I dont feel that JT has been at his imperious best this season, but i'd still pick him and Luiz ahead of Alex/Ivanovic at centre half.

His main problem as already mentioned is his fitness. More often than not he seems to be hobbling through games, and I wouldn't mind betting that he is taking injections to get through matches again.

It's true that he operates better, and more consistantly alongside someone with a bit more pace, and I can see him n' Davide doing brilliantly together. Seriously, I think Luiz's debut was the best I have seen from ANY Chelsea player since Robben. He ooozes confidence and has a technique that is head and shoulders above most of our squad, let alone defenders. I can see him being our captain

at some point in future.

Having said all that, I also believe that we wouldn't have been anywhere as near as succesful over the last 8 or so years without Terry. In our first league winning season, he was an example to everyone. PFA player of the year.

Age catches up with everyone!

spot on about luiz' debut, that was the best since arjen robben. I was probably happier cech saved the penalty , because luiz didn't deserve that, rather than the point it got us.

Luiz looks like he'l be the best centre back in the world by that performance, as long as he is consistant. He's got pace, strength, good in the air, determined, good timing with his tackles and interceptions, and he passes the ball like beckham with both feet!

He also showed that heart and winning mentality, he is a born winner!

Luiz looks like he'l be the best centre back in the world by that performance, as long as he is consistant. He's got pace, strength, good in the air, determined, good timing with his tackles and interceptions, and he passes the ball like beckham with both feet!

He also showed that heart and winning mentality, he is a born winner!

And his overhead kick was better than Rooney's!

JT is more important to the team than for just his defensive qualities. His presence alone makes the team a cohesive unit and the players look to him and Lamps for inspiration when the chips are down. His organizational qualities are still one of the best as well as his positioning. Pace was never one of his strong points although injuries have had an impact.

I'd still have him and Luiz in the center of defense rather than say Alex and Luiz.

JT is our best defender and should always be first choice. But since we now have four good defenders (atleast when Alex returns) we should rotate a bit and give JT a rest sometimes.

what JT brings to the dressing room, training and experience when the going gets tough is just as important as his on field performances.

Okay. Whatever you say, boss.

To be fair, if you're comparing him with the likes of Squillaci and Djourou, then he has a point ;)

However to say he is THE best in the PL this season is going a bit far, he's been great, but not at his best. Vidic is probably the best in the league, if you want my honest opinion.

The only real issue is that JT needs some rest once in a while, and he's never been able to get that. With Luiz, Ivan and Alex all fit then all four need to be playing regularly, so I think JT should be left out every so often.

If he's fit, he should be first choice, unless his legs really start to go and he can't keep up with anyone, since he's always been a bit slow anyway so it will happen soon enough I imagine.

The only real issue is that JT needs some rest once in a while, and he's never been able to get that. With Luiz, Ivan and Alex all fit then all four need to be playing regularly, so I think JT should be left out every so often.

I think at times he hasnt done himself any favours though with the amount of injuries he`s played through. I think he will have shortened his career by a good 2 seasons or so unfortunately.

I think he can certainly be rested in the Premiership, and needs to be fit for this season's Champions League what with Luiz being ineligible.

I think at times he hasnt done himself any favours though with the amount of injuries he`s played through. I think he will have shortened his career by a good 2 seasons or so unfortunately.

I'm sure you're right, but with 4 quality CBs he should be able to avoid playing through injuries from now on, which should prolong his career a little, even though the damage is already done.

I'm sure you're right, but with 4 quality CBs he should be able to avoid playing through injuries from now on, which should prolong his career a little, even though the damage is already done.

Not sure if it was just a rumour but I`m sure I heard somewhere his back problem is actually a chronic one, which I think means it cant be completely cured but has to be managed.

JT's been good this season as he usually is. He's had off games but he rarely makes mistakes. His leadership is a value of its own that can't be replaced by talent. But I think this is a good question anyway. I wouldn't mind us playing Luiz-Alex or a combination with Ivan.

People are overreacting on Luiz. I agree he has been surprisingly ready for this league and the team and he's only played 100 mins but cool down. The mistakes he made against Fulham goes to overenthusiasm but he needs a bit time to settle to be on a "clean sheet" form. His main job is to help the team to keep our own goal untouched still.

JT will need to be rotated more, so he will be benched some games for that alone to allow him to prolong his career and maintain maximum ability.

However, Legend that Terry is, his form should dictate if he is starting not his name......that being said, he definately deserves to be one of the first names on the team sheet.