John Terry has hit back at Jermaine Pennant's claim that Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in Premier League history.
The former Liverpool player has been slammed by the Chelsea legend and the public after he gave his verdict on the 'best defender' debate.
Chelsea legend John Terry with the Premier League trophy.
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Terry made 717 career appearances for Chelsea between 1998 and 2017Credit: Getty
On talkSPORT, Jamie O'Hara was talking with him about the Dutchman being the greatest until he realised he had forgotten to mention Terry, Nemanja Vidic and Vincent Kompany.
Pennant answered: "I think he is out of all the players you've named, look at the age of Van Dijk now... he's 34.
"At 34, Rio was at Queen Park Rangers while Van Dijk is at Liverpool playing competitive football, playing Champions League and still scoring.
"He's scored more goals than all the defenders you've named so how can you disrespect Virgil like that. If you said which one am I having... I'm picking Van Dijk.
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"Do you know how many Premier League games John Terry played at 34... he was in the under 21s.
"Terry is a legend but if you're saying as a defender 1 v 1, who would I want to run up against, I'd say John Terry everyday of the week. I mean, since when did he come second in the Ballon Dor."
An animated O'Hara shouted: "Are you joking?"
O'Hara was not the only one infuriated as the conversation sparked talk online with many fans having their own opinion on the question.
Many people thought the ex-Premier League winger had got his facts wrong, including John Terry himself.
John Terry responds to talkSPORT
On Tuesday night, the Chelsea legend responded to a clip on a TikTok stating that Pennant needed to get his stats right if he is going to talk on the topic.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
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Van Dijk has won two Premier League titles to John Terry's fiveCredit: Getty
Sitting in front of his impressive trophy collection, he replied: "I just got back from working at Chelsea today, minding my own business but I've been sent this over by a hundred various people throughout the day.
"Jamie O'Hara, who had my back by the way and Jermaine Penant on talkSPORT this afternoon debating who's better - myself, Rio, Vidic or Virgil Van Dijk.
"Now this is a debate that everyone's entitled to their own opinion but 'Pens' when you're on the radio and you're giving your opinion, you have to get the stats right.
"There's only one person who has got the most goals as a defender in Premier League history and that's me.
"I also have the most clean sheets in history and if you're comparing myself and Virgil, then I have more trophies than him as well.
"Also, you brought up a really good point. At the age of 34, in the season of 2014/15, I played every single minute of every game for Chelsea, winning the league in that season with Mourinho as our manager.
"So guys, this is over to you, I love the debate, I love being amongst it, I'm really proud of what I've done in the Premier League, but it's clearly over to you guys to settle the debate... I'm just happy to be amongst it."
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John Terry, Jose Mourinho and Frank Lampard with the Premier League trophy
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The Chelsea team which won the 2004/05 title under Mourinho have the best Premier League defensive record everCredit: AFP
A graphic of how their stats stack up has gone viral on the talkSPORT social media accounts.
Terry beat Van Dijk in every category including appearances, clean sheets, league titles and goals, with the defender leaving a like on the post.