With the signing of Kurt Zouma on the last day of the January window, myself – along with many Chelsea fans – are left speculating over the future of our centre half partnership.
This season, Mourinho has very much reverted back to our English roots, after last season it seemed we had seen the best of our Captain (Leader, and Legend, as my favourite banner in the Matthew Harding would say).
Benitez didn’t seem to favour the highest goal scoring defender in English Football, and, alongside several injury set backs, it proved to be a difficult season for Terry.
This season we’ve seen a reinvigorated English central pairing, with Cahill and Terry both delivering inspirational performances at crucial times in the season; Cahill is getting better and better as his career goes on, and – learning from the best – who can be surprised?
The two share a knowledge of the game which separates them from any other central pairing, Terry’s ability to read the game and restraint from making rash decisions, Cahill’s pace and awareness, reinforced by their passion and determination, has added a sense of stability to our back four which appeared to be missing for some time.
The unfortunate truth is that JT cannot go on forever. The centre-half is contemplating 1-year extension with the Blues, but even that seems only a short time away.
When our Captain calls it a day, where will we turn? Zouma? Luiz? Ake? Kalas? It seems difficult to imagine any of those names filling the boots of a monumental figure in Chelsea’s history.
Zouma does offer a lot of promise, with many other clubs disappointed in not securing his services. The centre half is quick, dedicated, and fantastic in the air, but he is perhaps slightly vulnerable on the ball.
A Match of the Day analysis last weekend showed a contrast in Terry and Jagielka’s ability on the ball. JT has the ability to play the ball out with both feet, and is very confident in possession.
Although Jagielka is another fantastic defender, his rash decision to foul Ramires in the build up to our goal, along with that added insecurity when the ball is on his weaker side, puts him only in the shadow of Terry.
I question whether Jose is willing to bring somebody else in the summer. Somebody with a little more experience and knowledge of the game.
Of course he could also move Ivanovic into the central position, but he certainly won’t want him their for the long run. My worry is, if JT picks up another knock, and Zouma is sent back on loan, we are left with a very brilliant but vulnerable Luiz to partner Cahill.
I personally would like to see someone else brought in within the Summer window to give us that extra stability, I’m just not quite sure who.
Who would you like to see as our central pairing in the next few years?
I think you are absoultly wrong about that, JT were raised in Chelsea so i think a talent like Ake or chabloua should take his place.
Don’t u think that we should have more players from the akademi the buy players all the time??
So jagileka is good but no thanks i rather see zouma or a talented boy from or own team!!
We need someone experienced, I would like to see another year out of JT and I think he has it in him.
While JT is still there we need to start to bring someone in, where its Ake, Zouma or Chabs that doesn’t matter – aslong as they have the passion.
yes i agree with that…. but we can’t just buy experienced players we will have to make them experienced, by just sign and sign player all of our talents will end up like kakuta or sinclar….. ”big” talent who got wasited for nothing so we have too let our talents play like sterling or luke shaw or they will never get exerience and one thing that i’am upset about is everyone who says we need a new striker, CALM THE FUCK DOWN… we got lukaku probably the wonderkid that we must use!!!
and JT, he should stay in chelsea at least for 5 years, he may not play all the matches but he could play some important match and show the young ones the way, just like J. Zanetti