John Terry racked up 759 appearances at club level during his career, along with another 78 caps for England. With five Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph to his name, it’s no surprise that the former Chelsea and Three Lions captain experienced his fair share of daunting stadium atmospheres along the way.
Spending 19 years at Chelsea, Terry grew into the most decorated captain in the club’s history. He also became their highest-scoring defender of all time and one of only six players to wear the blue shirt more than 500 times — cementing his status as a true Stamford Bridge icon.
John Terry Named Anfield as The 'Best Atmosphere' He Played in
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Terry has play at some incredible stadiums, new and old. 'The Bridge', is one of those, but more will have seen Terry grace the turf in their time.
He faced some of Europe’s most iconic venues during his career, including Barcelona’s Camp Nou, Bayern Munich’s Olympiastadion and Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderón among others. Yet it was on the domestic stage where he found the atmosphere that left the biggest impression, naming Anfield as the most intimidating ground he ever played in — and the one he remembers above all others.
Terry played at Anfield in five straight Champions League seasons between 2004/05 and 2008/09, largely under José Mourinho. Across those trips, Chelsea lost twice, drew twice and won once. His Premier League record there was also respectable, with five wins, two draws and three defeats at Liverpool’s home. Even with that solid return, Terry never hid his admiration for the stadium’s intensity.
John Terry: I have Never Heard Anything Like it
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“I have never heard anything like it before and I don’t think I ever will again. It is the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in.
“I walked out into that cauldron and heard that singing and saw that passion. The hairs on my arms were standing up. To see a spectacle like that is inspiring to anyone.
“I just kept looking around, trying to take it all in. I wasn’t daunted by it, but it was amazing. I wish more crowds were like that.
“Apart from the volume, it looked spectacular, too. In the seconds before the referee blew his whistle for the start of the match, the whole stadium let out this great long roar as if they were going to power Liverpool to victory.”
It's not an outlandish choice by the former Engalnd captain. Anfield really is one of football's best grounds. Other clubs in the Premier League, including cross-city rivals Everton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City have all moved to new grounds.
But Liverpool have only continued to expand Anfield, and there has never really been any notion that they will move on, especially having only recently expanded their Anfield Road stand. It's a relic that will continue to build and develop whilst sitting in an incredible atmosphere, whilst also keeping the grandeur of the players and teams that have graced the famous turf in the past - including Terry.
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