‘Special’ Terry won’t break record – Harris
Chelsea’s record appearance-maker Ron Harris cannot see John Terry overtaking him but says he will be the first to congratulate the Blues skipper if he does.
Stamford Bridge legend Harris played 795 games during 19 years at the club and Terry’s appearance against Manchester City means he is now third on the all-time list, with 652 games and counting.
‘Chopper’ Harris, a right-back and occasional centre-half who earned his nickname because of his no-holds-barred, no-nonsense approach and tough tackling, is a huge admirer of Terry.
But he told West London Sport the former England captain will struggle to surpass his tally.
“When I saw him and Frank Lampard a couple of seasons back I said they wouldn’t beat my record and I’ve seen Frank off,” Harris joked of Chelsea’s record goalscorer.
“If John did it, I would be the first to shake his hand, but he still has nearly 150 games to go and that will take at least about three seasons.
“To play that many games at the level he does is a tremendous achievement, but he is 34 so I reckon he is unlikely to beat it.
“And if John doesn’t break it, then I can’t see anyone else doing it. I don’t think agents would let anyone stay that long at a club these days – there’s no money in that!”
Terry, like Harris a youth-team product, made his debut in a League Cup tie against Aston Villa in 1998 and really established himself in the side in the 2001-02 season, playing 26 games.
Since then he has been a key figure, winning three Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two League Cups, and both the Champions League and Europa League.
Jose Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004 and made Terry Chelsea’s captain and, aside from a spell out of the team under Rafael Benitez, the Barking-born defender has been an ever-present when fit.
And Harris says Terry’s resilience, determination and ability to play despite some ongoing injury issues have been key to his longevity.
“He is similar to to myself – sometimes he plays with pain,” Harris added. “He is one of those fellas who just gets on with it and plays through injuries.
“He’s been so consistent over the years and is playing on top form at the minute.
“The only wobbly period he had was under Benitez but he still trained right.”
Harris does think Terry has a decent chance of passing his own former team-mate Peter Bonetti, who played 729 matches for the Blues.
Managers Terry has played under
Jose Mourinho 2004-2007 & 2013-
Rafael Benitez 2012-2013
Roberto Di Matteo 2012
Andre Villas-Boas 2011-2012
Carlo Ancelotti 2009-2011
Guus Hiddink 2009
Felipe Scolari 2008-2009
Avram Grant 2007-2008
Claudio Ranieri 2000-2004
Gianluca Vialli 1998-2000
“He has never been the quickest,” Harris added. “But John is a tremendous reader of the game and very similar to me in that he has not got a lot pace so sometimes he has to adjust.
“John has to be cute and he rarely gets caught out for pace even though he is not the quickest, which says it all.”
Terry, who began his career as a midfielder with the youth team, has started every Premier League game this season, helping the team top the table and reach the Champions League knockout stages and the final of the Capital One Cup.
“You don’t play all those years at the level he has without having something special about you,” Harris said.
“He has been an amazing asset for Chelsea and a wonderful leader.”
Harris says Terry’s leadership qualities make him stand out from other players.
“Players look up to him,” said Harris. “And he’s played under even more managers than I did and has pretty much always been first choice.
“Some people would just say I went about kicking people but I played under seven managers at Chelsea.
“You can’t fool that many people and cheat a career over 20 years. John has a tremendous attitude and has always pushed himself. He’s a tremendous competitor.”
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
