John Terry is the prototype Chelsea player, but he could have been winning trophies for another Premier League big-hitter in his prime.
Back in 2009, Chelsea were three seasons without a Premier League title after going back-to-back in 2004/05 and 2005/06 under Jose Mourinho.
They were perennial contenders, finishing in the top three in each season after, but were struggling to get over the line.
Another Premier League club was emerging as a new powerhouse at that time, turning to Terry as a potential needle-mover in their quest for a title.
Sergio Aguero of Man City facing off against John Terry of Chelsea
Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images
John Terry claims Man City made a £29m bid for him in 2009
In September 2008, Sheikh Mansour took over as owner of Man City and started on a path that would eventually lead to complete domination of English football.
That goal might have been met much sooner if City got their way with Chelsea’s captain.
Speaking to Livesport Daily, Terry recalled the approach he was told about when he was preparing to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
He reveals: “I know Man City made a 29 million pound bid for me back in 2009/10 when Ancelotti was the manager. And as soon as Chelsea spoke to me about it, I was like, ‘I don’t want to leave. I do not want to leave this football club. And if you want to sell me, then we have to have a different discussion because I don’t want to be here if you don’t want me.’
“And Roman was like, ‘We want you. We want you to stay.’ And I was like, ‘Well, 100% I want to stay, so let’s do a new contract.’ And I signed a new contract, committed the rest of my career really to Chelsea and signed a five-year contract at the age of 29, which was the best decision ever.”
A great decision indeed, though not all that surprising considering the love he has for the club. Terry even wants to manage Chelsea one day.
The Blues would win the domestic double that very season, and the Champions League just two years later.
Who is Chelsea’s best ever player?
John Terry could have brought forward Man City’s timeline
City have had more than their fair share of success in the time since this almost-move.
They won the Premier League in 2011/12 and 2013/14, with Chelsea their closest competitors during that period.
If the captain went to the Etihad, who knows how differently the early 2010s would have played out.
Terry is one of the best centre-backs of all time, and his presence in any side would elevate their floor and ceiling significantly. Had that deal gone through, we could have seen City’s streak of dominance start that bit sooner.
As it so happened, their real domination of the top flight only began after the Chelsea legend hung up his boots.