'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 07: John Terry of Chelsea warms up during the Champions League match between Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk at Stamford Bridge on November 7, 2012 in London, England.
Captain, also known as the skipper is a team member chosen to be the on-pitch leader of the team. It is a position that indicates honour and respect from one’s team mates – recognition as a leader by one’s peers, it is often one of the older or more experienced members of the squad, or a player that can heavily influence a game.
The addition of Marko Marin, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Oscar, Moses & Cesar Azpilicueta has certainly brought the attacking flair into the team but at the cost of experience. With all the injuries to the key players & departure of experienced players Chelsea are missing leaders on the pitch. That brings me to the argument who can be the Next John Terry for Chelsea. Petr Cech can lead the team but his contributions as a leader can show up only while corners & set pieces. David Luiz can do the job but the Brazilian is sloppy on many occasions as a centre back but can excel in midfield & certainly looks entertaining & effective. Juan Mata can be our long term Captain but I’m not sure of his dressing room influence on the team & that leaves us with one option: Branislav Ivanovic.
Branislav Ivanovic the Serbian has all the ingredients to be a perfect skipper. Before the start of the 2008-09 season, Ivanovi? was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, most notably to Serie A clubs AC Milan & Juventus. However he decided otherwise and stayed with the London side which eventually proved to be the right decision. After all, he had won the Holy Grail: The Champions League with Chelsea last term which is obviously every footballers dream. Ivanovi? is known for his powerful headers and his versatility of playing both at right back and centre back, making him a crucial player.
With all these qualities on the pitch Ivanovi? also is a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge.
Terry is Chelsea’s most successful captain, having led them to three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and a UEFA Champions League since 2004. He is one of five players to have made over 500 appearances for Chelsea and is also the club’s all-time highest scoring defender. However now at 32, Terry can play regular football for two to three years for Chelsea but with injuries & suspensions he misses a lot of games every season. Considering the situation now at Chelsea football club, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Petr Cech are all in their 30s, Branislav Ivanovic should be the man to replace John Terry as Chelsea’s next skipper.
