John Terry has responded after Jermaine Pennant said earlier this week that Virgil van Dijk is even better than he was.
Pennant, who played for the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Birmingham City in his career, was having a debate with Jamie O'Hara this week regarding the greatest centre-backs in the Premier League.
O'Hara expressed his doubts on claims that Van Dijk is the greatest centre-back in Premier League history as he named dropped Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Vincent Kompany.
Pennant interjected, saying: "I think Van Dijk is [the greatest centre-back in Premier League history]. 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 Queens 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 VanDijk like that? He's still playing at the top of his game."
O'Hara responded: "Are you genuinely sitting here and saying that Van Dijk is better thsn Terry? Are you saying that he's better than Terry and Ferdinand? I can't believe you've said that."
Pennant was not swayed as he replied: "If you said which one am I having... I'm picking Van Dijk. 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 1v1, who would I want to run up against, I'd say John Terry every day of the week. I mean, since when did he come second in the Ballon d'Or?"
John Terry Responds to Jermaine Pennant's Claim
John Terry
Terry, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in Chelsea's history after representing them 717 times, was made aware of Pennant's comments and couldn't resist responding.
Taking to Tiktok, Terry replied: “I've just got back from working at Chelsea today. Just trying to mind my own business, but I've been sent this by over 100 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."
He added: “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.”