A name that will stand the test of time is John Terry. Chelsea through and through, the central defender's leadership qualities – combined with his excellent defensive awareness – allowed him to call time on his playing days as one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history. His tally of five titles attests to his sheer quality as a footballer.
Considered royalty by those of a Stamford Bridge persuasion, Terry turned out 717 times for the Blues between 1998, when he graduated from Cobham, and 2017, when he left to spend his swansong with Aston Villa – and, during his period of success in west London, he faced all manner of superb centre-forwards.
john terry chelsea
The Premier League, especially across Terry's years of bossing Chelsea's defence, has boasted – fortunately for some; unfortunately for others – some of the deadliest frontmen since its inception in 1992. That includes the likes of Luis Suarez but the Uruguayan was snubbed by Terry when he listed off his five toughest strikers he faced.
5 Harry Kane
"In number five, for me, has to be Harry Kane. Now again, I got Kane at the beginning of his career. I've spoke about the strength and him not being the strongest very early on, but certainly that second year I faced him. The strength, the movement, the pace," Terry said after waxing lyrical about ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.
A gold-standard goalscorer who can also drop deep and link up play between the lines, the 32-year-old – and England's all-time top goalscorer with 76 strikes – faced the Stamford Bridge hero on four occasions. Just one win came of those meetings, but he did all he could by scoring three goals, including a brace in Spurs' 5-3 win in 2014/15. Terry continued:
"Also, with Harry, you'd face him up on the edge of the box, and he'd shift it like half a yard, and you'd think, 'Okay, I've got that, I can block that.' And he's like, shift, gets his shot away, and it goes in the bottom corner, and you think 'How's he managed to squeeze that past you and the goalkeeper?"
Harry Kane's Record Against Terry
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4 Alan Shearer
Although Terry's career only just overlapped with Alan Shearer's, as evidenced by their six encounters between 2001 and 2006, even the Barking-born defender had the chance to marvel at the Newcastle United great and his goal-getting exploits. After all, with 260 strikes to his name, he is the Premier League's all-time top goalscorer.
"Number four would have to be Alan Shearer," Terry said about his compatriot. "I played against Al at the back end of his career, so he was a little older. But I've never seen a player like Alan have the referees in his back pocket like he did. Just incredible."
A product of Southampton's well-drilled academy, Shearer enjoyed more successful stints with Blackburn Rovers and the Magpies, winning the Premier League title with the former. On the goal machine, Terry concluded: "He'd foul you, then the ref would give him the foul. But again, really quick, really powerful and some of the goals he scored in his Premier League time was phenomenal. Just an incredible player."
Alan Shearer's Record Against Terry
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3 Sergio Aguero
The architect behind one of the Premier League's most iconic moments, Sergio Aguero arrived at Manchester City as a fresh-faced youngster and left as one of the club's greatest-ever talisman – if not the greatest. "In number three, it would have to be [Sergio] Aguero. For someone who was really small, he was so strong and also wanted the fight," Terry said.
"He enjoyed the fight and the tough moments as well, so you kinda give him a little bit, and he kinda gave you a bit back when the ball goes down the other end. Just so direct. I think Chelsea were close to signing him a very long time ago, and he would've been a great addition to our team. Just a complete threat, always playing on the shoulder."
Nippy and unpredictable, the dainty Argentine – as proved by the above – caused Terry plenty of havoc over the years. From a collective standpoint, though, the ex-Atletico Madrid starlet was far less fruitful and won just two of their eight meetings – in the 2012 Community Shield final and no less than three years later in the Premier League.
Sergio Aguero's Record Against Terry
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2 Wayne Rooney
"A very close second would be Wayne Rooney," Terry said before admitting the do-it-all forward – best known for his trophy-laden stint at Old Trafford – remains underrated as the praise doesn't match his talent. "I think Wayne is the greatest ever England player to play in the Premier League. He doesn't get enough credit that he deserves."
Wayne Rooney, widely regarded as one of the best footballing teenagers of all time, burst on the scene for Everton and England – but he really propelled himself to global superstardom when he joined Manchester United in the summer of 2004. His record against Terry isn't great, mind, having won just nine times in 28 tries.
"The movement, he could drop short, go in behind, score with both feet – he could do things that embarrass you," Terry continued before reminiscing about his string of performances at Euro 04. "I remember him being 18 and super strong in 2004 against Portugal that summer. Just an incredible player and someone I absolutely adore."
Wayne Rooney's Record Against Terry
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1 Thierry Henry
A man who needs no introduction, Thierry Henry – who moved from the wing to the striker role once he moved from Juventus to Arsenal in 1999 – is an icon of the highest regard, and it's difficult to pinpoint a better forward to ever ply their trade in England's top flight. Terry, having played against the Frenchman on 15 different occasions across his career, is acutely aware of just how talented he was.
"Number one has to be Thierry Henry for me – he had absolutely everything. The one player I got nervous for, the night before the game, he was so quick, could go both ways, score with his head, had incredible movements and could embarrass you at any point."
Born and raised in Les Ulis suburb of Paris, Henry had plenty of fun wreaking havoc up and down the country during his eight-year, 377-match career in north London. His blend of trickery and sharpshooting made him a nightmare to mark and, thanks to his ability to strike at a rampant rate, it's no surprise to see Terry giving him the credit he so thoroughly deserves.
Thierry Henry's Record Against Terry
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Watch Terry's full selection process below:
All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 12/11/2025