Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
John Terry has been discussing Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday, which had almost everything.
A red card and penalty were probably the only things missing from Xabi Alonso’s first game in charge.
The west London derby even produced one moment which saw Reece James and Pedro Neto nearly get into a heated confrontation.
After failing to track back after Chelsea had lost the ball, James lost it with Neto, shouting at the Portuguese winger.
Robert Sanchez's errors leading to goal
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
John Terry thinks Reece James is growing as a captain after Pedro Neto incident in Chelsea’s win over Fulham
Terry has now had his say on the incident, which he actually liked. For the Chelsea legend, it is evidence that James has grown as a captain and leader.
Speaking about James and that particular moment during the game on his official YouTube channel, Terry said: “Let’s not forget just how good our captain is, and last night showed me a little something from him and just what Reece is all about and how he’s growing in the leadership side of it as well. Pedro Neto comes on, doesn’t track back, Reece digs him out, which is for me unbelievable to see.
“You just need three or four other players doing the same as well, supporting that because the standards were huge for me when I played and Reece is driving those standards.”
James’ reaction was completely warranted. Chelsea were clinging onto a very slender lead and instead of tracking back to help his team defend after they had lost the ball, Neto was too busy throwing his arms in the air and whinging.
It would have been unforgivable had Fulham managed to sustain their attack down his flank and score a goal.
Chelsea's Portuguese midfielder #07 Pedro Neto (L), Chelsea's English defender #24 Reece James (C)
Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Thankfully James managed to stop that attack with a brilliant bit of defending while giving Neto a real telling off, which the Portugal international deserved.
To make matters worse, instead of acknowledging that he was in the wrong, Neto gestured to his captain to be quiet. How disrespectful.
READ MORE:Chelsea fans believe the club have a ‘Reece James clone’ in the academy
One of The Chelsea Chronicle’s writers was so infuriated by the incident that he has now called for Neto to be sold!
For any Chelsea supporters who want Neto to be moved on, they could still get their wish during this transfer window.
Neto has attracted plenty of interest this summer, including from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. However, a move there is now unlikely, as they close in on Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.
While Neto is attracting interest, Chelsea’s £100m asking price is proving to be prohibitive.