The combination of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho at Chelsea is one of the best central defensive partnerships the Premier League has ever seen.
A lot of the success at Chelsea in the 2000s was built on an extremely solid defensive platform.
The Blues enjoyed John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho as two commanding centre-backs, plus they had Petr Cech in goal behind them.
Matches Wins Draws Losses Points per game
158 106 28 24 2.19
The record of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho when playing together at Chelsea via Transfermarkt
Carvalho was immense during his time at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2010. As for Chelsea legend Terry, his 19-year spell puts him in the heart of the conversation for the club’s best ever player.
John Terry rejected Manchester United as a youngster because he knew Chelsea was the right club for him.
Photo credit should read LIU JIN/AFP via Getty Images
Photo credit should read LIU JIN/AFP via Getty Images
John Terry used to shout at Ricardo Carvalho for dribbling out from defence
When reminiscing on the past, Carvalho shared that Chelsea teammate Terry used to yell at him when he dribbled out from the defence. Over time, the ball-playing Portuguese centre-back adapted to playing in a rigid backline.
Carvalho told The Athletic: “I wanted to play more with the ball, but I was a defender and had to defend first…
“I would be told off if I went too far with the ball. I had a few problems with this, first with the coach (Jose Mourinho)… but I had to feel my way to play, otherwise, I could not be the same player. Yet I remember even John (Terry) would shout at me sometimes to stay back!”
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It’s no surprise to hear that Terry, who’s a big part in history of Chelsea captains, was vocal on the pitch with Carvalho. The leadership and organisation is one of the things that made the Englishman a truly great defender of his generation.
During the 2004/05 season, Chelsea conceded only 15 goals in the Premier League en route to the title, with Terry and Caravalho key players that year. Terry doubts Chelsea’s record will be beaten in the future.
Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea desperately need that vocal leader on the pitch
When you look around the current Chelsea squad, it’s worrying that there are a lack of leaders.
Back in Terry’s era, you also had the likes of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack as big voices in the dressing room. But the modern day Blues side, which is extremely young, definitely lacks authority.
One current Chelsea player beginning to shine through as a possible leader is Enzo Fernandez, 24, because he plays with real passion and enthusiasm in central midfield.
Jason Cundy has noticed Fernandez maturing to become more of a leader at Chelsea, which is great news because he can really help lift a lot of his younger teammates
We doubt we’ll ever find a talisman in the same mould as Terry ever again. However, it’s time for one or two individuals to start stepping up as senior figures.