Trent Alexander-Arnold is worth at least £100million – but there will always be question marks over his future.
That’s the view of Darren Bent, who has insisted that his impending summer exit to Real Madrid will be a huge blow to Liverpool.
Commenting on his expected free transfer switch to Real, Bent said on Drive: “When it comes to contracts nowadays and the lengths of contracts, the players now have got all the power, it’s as simple as that.
“Because if Liverpool knew they were going to lose him, they would probably prefer to sell him, because Trent, for a right-back the way that he plays, he’s [worth] £100m, easy.
“So they would have liked to have got that, but unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out that way, maybe they felt they could have convinced him to stay, but it doesn’t look like they’ve managed to do that.”
He added: “He’s been absolutely outstanding, absolutely fantastic for Liverpool, but there will always be question marks about his defending.”
Bent continued: “But you’re never going to get someone who can give you that output going forward and then defensively be top level.
“It’s very rare you get someone who can produce the goods like he does, dead ball specialist, his range of passing, his crossing, everything he does with a football is wonderful.
“And then defensively be like [Paolo] Maldini, it just doesn’t happen, you’re going to have to suffer somewhere.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid from Liverpool at season’s end is a done deal, according to multiple reports from the United Kingdom and Spain.
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
The defender has been tipped to trade Anfield for the Bernabeu on a free transfer at the end of his contract for some time, and it has been reported that the Spanish giants have secured the 26-year-old with a five-year offer worth more than £220,000 a week.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side view the England international as the long-term successor to 33-year-old Dani Carvajal, who is out with an ACL injury sustained in October, and he would join the likes of top English players David Beckham, Steve McManaman, who backed Alexander-Arnold to “be a superstar” in Madrid, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate to represent Los Blancos.
Alexander-Arnold has been free to discuss terms with overseas clubs since January, and his impending move to Real would also reunite him with his friend and England teammate Jude Bellingham.
Real made an approach to Liverpool on New Year’s Eve to try sign Alexander-Arnold during the January transfer window, but the Premier League champions in waiting declined to cash the right-back in for reportedly around £20 million to boost their chances of a league crown.
That move was vindicated as Arne Slot’s side sits 12 points clear atop of the table with nine matches remaining, but will leave them without any profit on Alexander-Arnold as he can join Real for free like French superstar Kylian Mbappe did last year from PSG.
Alexander-Arnold is sidelined at present after injuring his ankle during the Reds’ Champions League exit at the hands of PSG and missing the League Cup final loss to Newcastle as a result.
He is tipped to return next month, in time for the crowning few weeks of the Premier League campaign and what is set to be a fitting farewell to his boyhood club.
Alexander-Arnold made his first team debut as an 18-year-old in 2016 after joining Liverpool’s academy as a six-year-old.
Many Reds fans on social media have been outraged however, calling for him to not be selected for the remainder of the season
Under esteemed manager Jurgen Kloop, Alexander-Arnold won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Club World Cup.
He is also one of three key Liverpool players out of contract at season’s end, with the futures of golden boot leader Mohamed Salah and star defender Virgil van Dijk still unclear.
Liverpool have declined to comment on the reports.
talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein could barely conceal his shock following a rather bold claim from co-host Darren Bent.
With the international break nearing its conclusion, talkSPORT fans were asked for their say on the age-old debate regarding club glory or national team success.
5
Fans have had their say on whether they prefer success for their club or countryCredit: Getty
A whopping 82 per cent from over 500 respondents said they would prefer to see their club lift a trophy rather than see the Three Lions triumph on the international stage.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, Goldstein claimed witnessing England succeed would mean far more than watching his beloved Manchester United win silverware.
However, Bent – a passionate Arsenal supporter – labelled Goldstein ‘nuts’ and revealed he would side with the 82 per cent.
“I want to feel euphoria for north London – and the red part of it,” Bent said.
Goldstein replied by asking Bent if he would take Arsenal winning the Champions League if it meant England would never win another game.
Bent replied: “Yeah, that’s fine with me.”
The Drive host further prodded Bent for how deep his club loyalties ran as he asked the former Premier League marksman if he’d rather see Arsenal win the League Cup or even the Europa Conference League instead of England ending their 59 years of hurt.
“Anything,” Bent replied.
“Anything. I promise you, League Cup, Conference League, anything.”
However, Bent was quick to clarify his tune and insisted his stance was purely from a fan’s perspective.
5
Arsenal fan Bent would rather see the club win the Conference League than England win the World CupCredit: talkSPORT
5
The former Sunderland striker’s claim left co-host Goldstein stunnedCredit: talkSPORT
“But as a player, I’d take England over anything, I’d win the World Cup over any competition,” Bent said.
“To win the treble as a player or win the World Cup, I’m taking the World Cup, as a player. The World Cup is the pinnacle, but as a fan (club over country)…”
Bent made his England debut against Uruguay in 2006 and went on to win a total of 13 caps, with his last coming in 2011.
He netted four times for the Three Lions, with goals coming against Switzerland, Denmark, Wales and Montenegro.
Although Bent and a majority of the voters on talkSPORT’s poll will have disagreed, there’s plenty out there who may have forgot to vote and would love nothing more than to see England win the World Cup.
The Three Lions have not any silverware since the 1966 World Cup.
5
Arsenal are without a trophy in five years and their last European triumph was the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994Credit: Getty
5
Tuchel has made a winning start to life as England boss, but how long will it last?Credit: Getty
Thomas Tuchel has been entrusted with ending the lengthy wait and began his England tenure brightly.
Tuchel’s side got their World Cup qualification off to a strong start as they beat Albania and Latvia 2-0 and 3-0 respectively.
England will next be in action on June 7 when they travel to Andorra for their third World Cup qualification match.
Despite months of negotiations, the 26-year-old opted to move to Los Blancos next term, where he is expected to pen a five-year deal worth in excess of £220,000-per-week.
It will bring an end to the right-back’s 20-year association with the club, having joined Liverpool‘s academy in 2004 aged six.
Bastian Schweinsteiger had not been at Bayern Munich for as long as Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool when he found himself in a similar situation.
The 40-year-old first joined the Bavarians in July 1998 as a youth player before he made his first-team debut in November 2002.
It didn’t take long for Schweinsteiger to endear himself to the Bayern faithful thanks to his all-action displays in midfield.
Yet those same Bayern fans who loved Schweinsteiger were more than prepared to turn on him during the 2010/11 season.
The midfielder was out of contract in 2012 and a raft of European giants were ready to swoop.
Clubs including Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United were all credited with an interest in snapping up Schweinsteiger.
So Bayern fans could be forgiven for thinking the worst when, after Bayern had beaten St Pauli 3-0 on January 2 in 2011, Schweinsteiger took the microphone from the stadium announcer.
3
Fans thought Schweinsteiger was headed out the exit door in January 2011Credit: FC Bayern Munich – YouTube
It seemed the supporters at the Allianz Arena had already made their minds up regarding Schweinsteiger as they showered him with boos and whistles before he even had the chance to speak.
However, the reaction changed instantly once they heard what Schweinsteiger had to say.
“I’ve been playing here at FC Bayern Munich for 12 years now,” Schweinsteiger said.
“And I wanted to tell you, I have extended my contract and will stay at FC Bayern until 2016.
“Long live Bayern!”
Upon Schweinsteiger’s last line, the crowd erupted into loud cheers as their star midfielder kissed the Bayern badge.
3
Bayern fans were left stunned when Schweinsteger revealed he would stay at the clubCredit: FC Bayern Munich – YouTube
Louis van Gaal, who was Bayern boss at the time, was delighted to have kept Schweinsteiger at the club.
“I’m a coach with long-term goals,” Van Gaal said.
“Therefore the new contract for Bastian Schweinsteiger is very important.
“It’s a very good sign that we managed to keep this world class player at our club.”
Schweinsteiger went on to play a remarkable 500 appearances for Bayern across all competitions before he departed to Manchester United in 2015.
The midfielder also played a leading role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph, where he played the full 120 minutes in the final against Argentina.
But had his famous moment on the microphone in January 2011 gone differently, who knows how the German great’s career may have turned out.
Ex-Liverpool star Stan Collymore defends Trent Alexander-Arnold after fan backlash over his move to Real Madrid
Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert has dropped a bombshell on teammate Dean Huijsen’s future that no Cherries fan will want to hear.
Andoni Iraola’s side have been one of the biggest surprise packages of the Premier League this season as the club sits just five points off the Champions League places.
3
Kluivert suggested knows one of his key teammates won’t be at the Vitality next seasonCredit: @RadioMARCA on X
The Cherries are also just one win away from an FA Cup semi-final berth as they host Manchester City in the quarter-finals on Sunday, live on talkSPORT.
Kluivert has been one of the brightest spots for Bournemouth this season with 13 goals and seven assists across all competitions.
Full-back Milos Kerkez has also shot to prominence with his barnstorming displays up and down the left flank along with his whipped crosses that cause plenty of havoc for opposition back lines.
But it is teenage centre-back Dean Huijsen who has arguably garnered the most attention from rival clubs.
The 19-year-old arrived on the south coast last summer from Juventus for a fee just shy of £13million.
However, his assured displays at the back and a recent maiden call-up for Spain have seen his value skyrocket.
The Cherries need no reminding they face a serious battle to keep Huijsen in the summer, especially given he has a £50m release clause in his contract.
But according to Kluivert, it appears Bournemouth’s players are already resigned to losing the teen as he made the worrying admission in an interview with MARCA on Sunday.
“I know that next year he won’t be with us,” Kluivert said.
There will be no shortage of clubs keen to snap up Huijsen in the summer.
3
Huijsen has quickly become one of the most wanted defenders on the planetCredit: Getty
Carlo Ancelotti’s side has been hampered by injuries to key defensive players including David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal throughout the campaign.
The depths of Los Blancos’ defensive woes were laid bare when midfielder Federico Valverde had to deputise at right-back during the second leg of their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid.
A move to Liverpool or Real Madrid would represent a major step up in difficulty for Huijsen.
However, Iraola believes the 19-year-old will be more than capable of handling himself at that level.
3
The 19-year-old looks right at home in the Premier League and has the stats to show it
When asked about Huijsen’s best attributes, Iraola said: “I think his mentality, his head.
“I think he’s confident. He is not afraid of marking any forward and I think he’s calm on the ball.
“He knows what he’s doing, he’s under control. Sometimes he will make mistakes like all the others, but there is always a reason for the things he does.
“And for someone that is 19, it’s really strange to find this at this level.”
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley reveals they are trying to persuade Andoni Iraola to stay amid Tottenham and Real Madrid interest
Peter Crouch has scored his first goals for Liverpool in nearly 17 years and he made sure to celebrate accordingly.
Crouch netted the opener for the Liverpool Legends against the Chelsea Legends at Anfield with a trademark header.
3
Crouch rose to float a header over Rob Green during the Legends matchCredit: Liverpool TV
Florent Sinama-Pongolle whipped in an inviting cross from the right flank and Crouch towered above to nod home past Rob Green with a looping header.
The 44-year-old couldn’t hide his delight as he celebrated with his teammates and the fans.
He then did the robot dance, a celebration he made iconic during his playing days.
Crouch’s celebration ensured he made good on a pre-match promise.
When asked if he would celebrate with the robot dance if he scored, Crouch said: “Do you know what, I don’t think I’ve thought that far.
“First, I want to get through the game unscathed.
“Secondly, I’d like to get near the goal.
“Third, I’d like to score. And if I do, the robot will be out, no doubt.”
It marked the first time Crouch scored in a Liverpool shirt since April 26 in 2008, when he netted in a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City.
Crouch wasn’t content with one goal against the Chelsea Legends though.
3
The 44-year-old whipped out his legendary robot celebrationCredit: Liverpool TV
Mark Gonzalez floated a cross in from the left towards Crouch, who was waiting at the back post.
He tried to head it towards goal but it couldn’t quite get enough power on it.
Luckily the ball fell to his feet and he produced a delightful lob over Green from close range.
Green rolled his back in frustration knowing there was nothing he could do about Crouch’s effort.
Crouch was substituted immediately after his second of the day to a standing ovation.
Crouch’s heroics at Anfield come just over a week after he found himself on the wrong side of a bet on day three at Cheltenham.
3
Crouch capped off his afternoon with a delightful lob for his second goalCredit: Liverpool TV
The former England international backed a British horse to win the Stayers’ Hurdle while bookmakers Paddy Power backed an Irish horse to win, with the loser to buy an entire round of Guinness for those in the Guinness Village.
Unfortunately for Crouch, Irish horse Bob Olinger prevailed and meant he had to pay for 1,000 pints of Guinness.
The Socceroos might’ve finished 5-1 winners against Indonesia in their crucial World Cup qualifier in Sydney and taken a giant step towards automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in North America, but coach Tony Popovic made it clear there’s still plenty of room for his side to improve describing the performance as “solid but it wasn’t great.”
Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
Goals to Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay, Lewis Miller and a double from Jackson Irvine send Australia to China with three vital points in the bag and full of confidence, but all too aware that its job half done when it comes to jumping the hurdles this international window presented.
The mental resilience the side showed to escape unscathed – albeit with some fortune – from a tricky 15-minute opening period is also a sign of growth as is a welcome surge in the way chances were finally converted into goals. This result bloats Australia’s goal difference column too and that could be one less thing to worry about come the final matchday of round three in June.
It wasn’t all good news though with Martin Boyle and Adam Taggart coming off at halftime. Popovic revealing post-game that both have fitness concerns.
OMINOUS SIGN BEFORE A BALL WAS KICKED
A crowd of 35,241 packed into the Sydney Football Stadium and the Indonesian fans not only made their presence felt but had the decibel reader reaching its upper limits.
The Indonesian national anthem was greeted with full voice by those in red and more than one Socceroos player turned to look at the raucous away end. It did not sound,
look or feel like a Socceroos home game until the goals started flying in.
Remarkably, the Team Garuda faithful were still chanting at 5-1 down in the second half.
“It’s part of football and it’s what we love about it, that teams can come away from home and bring that energy and atmosphere,” midfielder Jackson Irvine said.
“I thought our fans were equally brilliant and pushed us in the key moments of the game and gave us that extra leg up probably when we needed it.”
A TALE OF TWO PENALTIES
Perspective is in the eye of what colour jersey you were wearing.
The decision to award Indonesia a penalty in the seventh minute after the Brisbane Roar’s Rafael Struick was ruled to have been fouled by the recalled Kye Rowles was
contentious through an Australians lens, but while it was on the softer side it was the right call.
Kevin Diks dulled the debate by hitting the woodwork. A sprawling Mat Ryan guessed the right way in any case and might’ve saved it.
Indonesia coach Patrick Kluivert, in his first match in charge, believed his side struggled to shrug off that setback.
“If you shoot the penalty in it would be a totally different match of course,” Kluivert said.
“From that moment we changed something in our minds.
“We had a grip of the game. I think that we played better than Australia.
“If you score 1-0, I’m sure it will be a totally different game.”
10-minutes later Australia was sent to the spot after Nathan Tjoe-A-On pulled off a tackle on Lewis Miller in the box that looked more like something James Tedesco would execute on this ground in a Roosters jersey. Boyle did the honours from the spot.
The goal helped calm the nerves after the Socceroos were let off the hook just moments prior. The side looked far more settled from that point and Australia led 3-0 at the break thanks to two more goals from Velupillay and Irvine.
“It’s the hardest I’ve been pressed in a home game in a long time,” Irvine said.
“There was absolutely no time on the ball in the middle of the park.
“Once we broke that pressure it looked like we were going to score every time we went through.”
3-0! Socceroos dominant first half surge | 01:31
POPPA PULLS THE RIGHT SELECTION CALLS
This was not an easy squad to pick.
Six regular starters were missing through injury and Popovic had key calls to make when it came to his starting wingers and striker.
As Velupillay wheeled away to celebrate with the fans in the 20th minute he had fellow winger Martin Boyle and striker Adam Taggart to thank for the opportunity.
Boyle’s pass found Taggart whose lunging effort resulted in Velupillay being able to run onto the ball and calmly slot Australia’s second.
“It’s a special moment for the boy,” Popovic said.
“Starting your first game, pressure, a stadium that’s full. It doesn’t come bigger than that.
“When he looks back, he should be really proud of that.”
This was the first time Boyle had seen minutes under Popovic after failing to get on the pitch in the November window against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. 14-goals and 9
assists in 36 games for Hibernian in Scotland made a compelling case for selection.
Velupillay is working his way back into form after a nasty ankle injury suffered against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne. To start him in a game of this magnitude was bold. Taggart deserved his spot after five goals in his last 11-games for Perth Glory in the A-League but hadn’t even been picked in a squad by Popovic yet before this window.
For a goal that released the pressure valve in this campaign to be created by two players who’d never featured under this manager and scored by one still not quite at
top form domestically must be applauded.
Unfortunately, Taggart and Boyle were both substituted at half time with potential fitness issues. Taggart appeared to feel for his groin multiple times just before the break. Asked if there was anything amiss with both players Popovic said “there could be.”
“They both had a bit of a niggle, maybe Adam a little bit more than Martin Boyle.”
“Adam was definitely coming off and Martin was a bit of a precaution.”
IRVINE GOAL A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT
Jackson Irvine is the heartbeat of the Socceroos midfield. His goals in the 34th and 90th minutes were the 12th and 13th of his international career and came on the same
ground where he scored his first ever for Australia in 2017.
“From a personal point of view a special night,” he said.
“I never take it for granted being here and I haven’t played in this stadium since that night.”
THE RETURN OF DANIEL ARZANI
Arzani replaced Velupillay in the 72nd minute and was greeted by warm applause. It was his first appearance for Australia since a 26-minute spell in a World Cup qualifier
against Bangladesh in June last year.
His last minutes prior to that came against Kuwait in a friendly match in 2018. That was just before the anterior cruciate ligament tear on debut at Celtic that would change the trajectory of his then skyrocketing career.
It took just two minutes for Popovic to call Arzani to the sideline for a chat after his introduction, but generally he worked hard in defence and looked lively in attack.
All of this after Popovic told Arzani his effort in camp during the October international window last year “wasn’t good enough” and that his “level was really poor in
training.”
It appears to have been the wake-up call the 26-year-old – once dubbed the next big thing in Australian football – needed.
Five months on from that camp and Arzani has impressed his mentor this time around. Popovic does not give out easy minutes even with Australia 4-0 up at the time.
It was an impressive response from a player who can only enhance the fortunes of himself and his country with similar application.
Socceroos calm ahead of crucial clashes | 01:56
STATE OF THE PITCH
There’d been concerns about the state of the Sydney Football Stadium pitch in the days prior to kick-off and those fears weren’t alleviated once the game got underway.
Several players lost their footing or looked unsure on the ball. It was not ideal and hampered the fluidity of the game.
“Tough pitch for the players,” Popovic said.
“Very hard underneath and slippery on top. The players were in two minds. Half the players wore studs, and half the players had moulds. It was a difficult one for them tonight. It took a lot out of them.”
MAT RYAN BACK TO HIS BEST ON AN HISTORIC NIGHT
Lost in the euphoria of scoring five goals was the three incredible saves Mat Ryan pulled off between the sticks.
On a night where the goalkeeper became the third most capped player in Socceroos history with 97, moving ahead of another former skipper in Lucas Neill and now only
behind Mark Schwarzer with 109 and Tim Cahill on 108 appearances, Ryan was immense.
He stopped Jay Idzes’ header from a freekick in the 5th minute, made a superb diving save to his left in the 53rd minute and another clutch reflex save down low to his right
in the 84th minute.
“I have to say I’m not surprised after seeing him when he came into camp,” Popovic said.
“Just a different demeanour and that comes from playing.
“You can see he’s full of confidence and he showed that when he came in. He was a real presence around the group and tonight he stood tall.”
The fact the captain was dropped to the bench for the first three games of Popovic’s tenure now seems a distant memory. His move to Lens in France from Roma in Italy
has been a masterstroke.
Davidson hoping to re-ignite Roos career | 02:26
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AT THE BACK
Australia’s backline was hardest hit by the current run of injuries between November and March.
Popovic picked Lewis Miller, Jason Geria, Cameron Burgess, Kye Rowles and Aziz Behich.
Geria, Burgess and Rowles formed the central trio of that combination, and the coach made it clear there was plenty to work on. Indonesia’s goal was well taken, but the lead-up was scrappy.
“The goal they scored probably summarised how we defended,” Popovic said.
“They didn’t create, we gave them chances, we gave them the penalty, we gave them the goal as well.
“Defensively we weren’t great, we were a little bit on edge, a little bit sloppy in our defending.”
WHERE ARE THE SOCCEROOS AT WITH PROJECT POPPA AND WHAT’S NEXT?
Project Poppa is progressing, but it’s far from the finished article. That’s not a bad thing, but just the reality of only being in the job for six-months.
“I aim quite high,” Popovic said with a smile when asked how far along the side is when it comes to implementing his game style.
“They’re not where we want to be, but that’s not a negative that’s a positive. They’ve taken strides forward and it’s not easy to do what they did tonight.”
Popovic pointed to decision making as an area that needs work.
“How do we identify quicker what is happening on the field?” he said.
“That will happen with more games together.
“I felt that this camp or this window of the first game is the first time I’ve felt in training and just around the hotel that this group is now starting to build into something.”
Now, it’s off to China for their next qualifier on Tuesday night.
Australia remains second in group C and in control of its own fate when it comes to securing automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup.
Terry was in town to promote the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, which begins on June 14 and will be held across the United States.
A new-look trophy as well as an increase to a 32-team field are among the biggest changes to the tournament.
However, more teams means more games at a time when there are already worries over player welfare in terms of too much football.
Terry completely understood the concerns and proposed a solution but also pointed out that since his retirement, he dearly misses playing.
If anything, he wished he played more.
“This is an opportunity that financially is mega for every club involved, let alone if you go on and win it,” Terry said.
“To participate, it’s big financials.
“I think we have to be careful in terms of player welfare and stuff like that because being ex-players, we have to support that.
“Can there be a break mid-season, I think there should be. You played two, three games a week around the Christmas period and it’s really busy.
14
This year’s Club World Cup is the first under its new-look formatCredit: FIFA
“Then in February, March, April, you play Saturday, Saturday, Saturday. You could easily just throw a couple of games in there as well.
“But I think in terms of players, like for me, six years retired, I’d love to still be playing. I’d love to go back and say, ‘I wish I had 60, 65 games a season.’”
Terry also felt managers can play more of a role when it comes to easing the workload of their players.
However, the Chelsea great believed the onus should always be on the players to keep their bodies in tip-top shape, especially at the top level.
“I think the most I ever get off after a season was probably three weeks,” Terry said.
“Now, because Chelsea was in the finals of Champions Leagues or later stages, FA Cup, which is the last game of the season, you’re kind of getting two-and-a-half, three weeks off at a maximum. At the top level, that’s what you’re used to. So we’re not asking anything different of what our generation have done or what the top sides have done.
14
Several players across the Premier League have picked up injuries amid concerns over too many gamesCredit: Getty
“I think that when you’re a top player, you’re expected to be able to be robust, you’ve got to look after yourself.
“I could quite still easily play three games a week. Ninety minutes at the top, top level. Maybe not at the top level, but if I’m in my prime like these guys are, you can go and churn out those games.
“I think the struggle for me is, when you play Saturday to Saturday and the manager says, ‘No days off, we’re in Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,’ because maybe you’re under a bit of pressure from the owners, you can’t give players days off, I think the players and managers at the football clubs have a responsibility to really look at the winter break or give players days off throughout the season.”
Current Chelsea side
After two seasons away from the Champions League, Chelsea are firmly in the hunt to return to Europe’s premier club competition.
Enzo Maresca‘s side sit fourth in the Premier League, although just five points separate the Blues from 10th-placed Bournemouth.
A large part of Chelsea’s success this season is down to superstar midfielder Cole Palmer, who has 14 goals and six assists in the league this season.
John Terry names the surprise Chelsea star who won bleep test ‘by a mile’
But Terry, who is often in the building at Cobham as a part-time coach with Chelsea’s academy, revealed Palmer offers far more than just his ability with the ball.
“He’s quite quick,” Terry said.
“I was at Chelsea the other day, and they were doing a bleep test.
“He won it by a mile. He was cruising, like people were dropping out. He was there right to the end.
“In terms of fitness levels and the power, he looks quite skinny, but very strong.
“Takes the ball on the half-turn really quick as well. Like, impossible to play against.”
14
Palmer may have silky skills but boasts an underrated engineCredit: Getty
Terry added the game ‘seems to be too easy’ for Palmer at times and hailed his partnership with Blues striker Nicolas Jackson.
“He strolls through games a little bit, but he’s so far ahead of everyone else in terms of the way he sees the game,” Terry said.
“He always plays that forward pass.
“He’s never looking for the simple one. I think him and [Nicolas] Jackson have a really good relationship as well.
“Nico likes to play on people’s shoulders, which a lot of strikers don’t do nowadays as well. But he’s just been phenomenal.
“When you go to these games at the Bridge you can’t help but just watch and follow him. The ball’s at the other end of the pitch, and you’re just watching his movement.
14
Terry is a big fan of the partnership between Palmer and JacksonCredit: Getty
“He’s always on the half-turn, getting in little pockets.
“(Gianfranco) Zola used to find himself in areas that he didn’t even know existed. He’s the same as well, but he turns and wants to drive at people and play forward, which I think is the key to it.”
Former teammates and managers
Having enjoyed a playing career that spanned two decades, Terry has shared the pitch with some incredible teammates.
The majority of them have since hung up the boots, some of which have allowed themselves to, deservedly, enjoy retirement after years of keeping themselves in peak physical condition.
There are also others who have remained in top shape, one of which is former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.
In fact, Terry believes Obi Mikel, now 37, is in such good nick he could easily still play at the top level.
14
Mikel was a key cog in Chelsea’s midfield for a decadeCredit: Getty
“He was brilliant,” Terry said.
“To have him in front of me playing was brilliant. He covered so much ground.
“I still play in ex-Legends games now and stuff and he can still play. He could still play in the Premier League today. He had it all didn’t he?
“Those holding midfielders like Makelele get recognised. There’s certain players in that role that don’t get the credit they deserve. And Obi was one of them.”
Mikel was brought to Chelsea in 2006 when Jose Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho, who famously declared himself ‘The Special One’ when he first moved to Chelsea in 2004, arrived with plenty of hype having just won the Champions League with Porto.
14
Terry was left in awe of Mourinho’s work ethic when he first arrived in 2004Credit: Getty Images – Getty
It didn’t take long for Mourinho to leave Terry with a lasting impression.
Commenting on what it was like to work under the Portuguese boss, Terry said: “To get a first impression when he first arrived, the detail and the level of training.
“I used to pride myself for getting in very early, I went in at 8:15am and he’s already out there putting the cones on the pitches, setting up the pitch, that was his standards every day.
“His standards were incredible and every had to abide by it, but seeing him work, on the pitch it was incredible, his detail in the pre-match games and the tactics of the opposition and how we were going to break teams down…
“And also a lot of the time, he focused on us, which I’d not really had as a player, so he understood, we had a really good bunch of players.
“But a phenomenal manager, a phenomenal person and man to work with and certainly was never scared to say what he thought that’s for sure.”
14
Mourinho brought plenty of success to Stamford Bridge across his two stintsCredit: GETTY
Terry continued: “He was the best I ever worked with, in terms of management, his tactics, the whole package.”
Under Mourinho, Chelsea won six trophies in the space of just three years before he departed in September 2007.
Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in June 2013 and helped the Blues to another Premier League title and a League Cup.
However, his exit in December 2015 came amid an alarming form slump.
As for what went wrong in his second stint, Terry felt there was simply too big of a disconnect with Mourinho’s methods and the changing demands of the new generation of players at the squad.
“A lot of people said he was different the second time,” Mourinho said.
14
Mourinho’s second spell at Chelsea didn’t quite go to planCredit: Getty
“I think the big difference when he came back was players were different. In that first era, 2004/05, he could have said to me, Lamps, Didier or anyone who was in the squad, ‘You’re being rubbish, you need to be better.’
“That second time around, players were different. That generation, the players were starting to go the other way where they didn’t like being told what they were bad at, they wanted a pat on the back all the time.
“So in terms of him, I don’t think he was different. I think the group was different, and I think he was very much still, ‘This is how I coach, this is how I manage, I’ve been very successful this way, why would I change.’ And also, I agree with him.”
What’s he doing now?
When Terry stepped away from his role as an assistant manager at Aston Villa in July 2021, he did so with the hopes of taking up a managerial role elsewhere, but it has not eventuated
Terry did make a brief return to a Premier League dugout when Dean Smith brought him on as an assistant at Leicester City in April 2023.
But since then, Terry hasn’t been an overly visible presence in Premier League circles.
14
Terry became an assistant under Smith at Villa in 2018 and departed in 2021Credit: AFP via Getty
However, the Blues great wouldn’t have it any other way as he gets more time to play golf, padel and be with his family.
He still harbours aspirations of being the Chelsea manager, but has accepted that ‘dream’ is unlikely to transpire.
“I had to leave Aston Villa for personal reasons, for family reasons and stuff. But I loved my time there,” Terry said.
“I love coaching and after three years, I was ready to be a manager, so I came away and reset with the family.
“Then I had a couple of interviews and it was quite disappointing. In every interview I came away from they said ‘you have no experience as a number one’.
“I’m like, okay, how do I get that? I’m keen to get in, I want to go in and it needs to be the right team, but didn’t get my opportunity.
14
Terry is fond of the fairways ever since his retirement from football in 2018Credit: Getty
“I’ve stepped back and I’m part-time in the Academy at Chelsea. I love doing it and I love being around the boys and supporting them.
“In terms of my life at the minute, I’m playing a load of golf and summer’s just about to come now. I’m playing padel. I’m fit, I’m healthy, I’m with my wife, with my family, enjoying life a little bit.
“We make big sacrifices as players, you don’t see the kids on their birthdays and all things like that.
“Picking the kids up from school and dropping them off or dropping them to their friend’s house and stuff like that means everything to me.
“I think the longer I leave it, the less likely it is to happen.
“I still have a dream, I’d love to go in at Chelsea one day. Does that happen without me doing the other levels? No, it probably doesn’t. So, realistically, it’s not going to happen for me.
14
Terry remains involved as a coach within Chelsea’s academy set-upCredit: Getty
“I’m comfortable with that, I’m happy, I’ve done all my badges, I’m ready. So if anything does ever come up and it’s the right opportunity, I’ll go in.”
Jack Grealish
Terry was fortunate enough to have a front row seat to the rise of Villa’s most successful academy product, Jack Grealish.
The pair played together during the 2017/18 Championship season before Terry helped coach Grealish when he returned the following campaign as part of Smith’s coaching staff.
Under Smith, Grealish blossomed into one of the best attacking talents in the Premier League.
Grealish would terrorise defenders with his mazy dribbles across the park and defence-splitting passes.
His rise culminated in a £100million move to Manchester City in August 2021 as he sought to win trophies.
14
Grealish and Terry could not get Villa promoted during the 2017/18 season
Although he’s done just that, it’s come at the cost of valuable playing time.
Now 29, Grealish is struggling to break into Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up and is at real risk of missing out on making the England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It’s why Terry believes Grealish must contemplate a summer exit if he is to feature at the World Cup and needs to play for a manager who will give him the licence to roam across the park.
“Knowing Jack, he’s not the type of player that wants to be sitting on the bench, I don’t think it’s good for him.
“I think he’s at his best when he’s playing week in, week out, when he’s dominating – he’s one of those players that kind of takes it on the back foot.
“Gets at defenders, drives the the team up the pitch, drives the team forward, so I think for him, he needs to start playing.
14
Grealish’s attacking numbers this season are not what’s expected from a £100m player
“He needs to look at his options, because Man City have not been great this year and he’s still not getting a look-in.
“So from his side, I’d be a little bit worried and go, ‘I need to get out,’ because England means the world to him.
“And I have to say, all eyes are on Jack always, it’s difficult, he’s a young boy with a lot of pressure on his shoulders.
“I’ve never seen anyone work so hard at a football club when I was at Villa, I’ve got a real insight into that as well and how much football means to him in general.”
Terry added: “I think it will be good for him to weigh up his options. I’m not saying to leave Man City, because they’re one of the top teams in the world.
“But I think he needs to ask questions, ‘Am I going to be part of this in the future?,’ but Jack is an unbelievable talent, and I think he’s at his best when he’s got the freedom, and I think he needs a manager to give him the license to go and be Jack Grealish.”
John Terry was speaking on Chelsea and the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. Watch every game from the FIFA Club World Cup on DAZN for free.Sign up today.
Chelsea great John Terry is ‘jealous’ of fellow ex-Blues skipper Cesar Azpilicueta for winning the one trophy he never could.
Terry won just about everything there was to win throughout his 19 years at Stamford Bridge as a player.
3
Terry’s trophy cabinet has one notable absenceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The 44-year-old’s trophy haul included five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League.
Yet there’s a glaring absence in Terry’s trophy cabinet: the FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea‘s Champions League triumph in 2012 booked them a spot at the Club World Cup that same year.
However, they were on the wrong side of an all-time upset as Brazilian side Corinthians beat the Blues 1-0 in the final.
Corinthians’ victory remains the only Club World Cup victory from a non-European team since 2007.
Chelsea would return to the Club World Cup final in 2021 thanks to their win over Manchester City in the Champions League final earlier that year.
The Blues went one better in the final that year as they overcame Palmeiras 2-1 in an extra-time thriller, meaning they could officially call themselves the best in the world.
Azpilicueta, Chelsea’s skipper at the time, had the honour of lifting the trophy in Abu Dhabi.
Terry was long retired by the time Chelsea won the Club World Cup, but it didn’t stop him from watching the celebrations with a serious sense of envy.
“I’ve never won this trophy,” Terry said on talkSPORT Breakfast.
3
The ex-Blues skipper appeared on talkSPORT to talk all things Club World CupCredit: talkSPORT
“Cesar Azpilicueta went on to win this when he was a player and I’m jealous of that.
“As a player you want to be able to say you’ve won every trophy possible, and this fits into that category. It’s going to be a great event.
“Also as a player at the back end of your career you want to say ‘I’ve played in that and I’ve played against the very best.’
“This is probably going to be the first time in the world where you can say every team available that is the best is going to be there.
“Once it kicks off, players are going to want to win it.”
Perhaps Terry will grow envious of incumbent Blues skipper Reece James as Chelsea will compete in this year’s Club World Cup, which has undergone a major revamp.
3
Azipilicueta helped Chelsea to win their first Club World Cup in 2021Credit: Getty
The west London outfit are one of 32 teams set to descend on the United States and will begin their journey in Group D alongside Brazilian side Flamengo, Tunisia’s Esperance de Tunis and Mexican club Leon.
Participation in this year’s Club World Cup is also set to provide Chelsea and all others competing with a major financial boost, as the winner is set to receive in excess of $100million.
Chelsea’s first game will be against Leon at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 16.
The Blues’ clash against Flamengo will also hold extra significance for the Brazilian side’s manager, Filipe Luis, given he spent a season at Stamford Bridge in 2014.
The ex-Chelsea defender has started well, winning the Rio de Janeiro State Championship, Supercopa do Brasil and Copa do Brasil as coach.
“It’s special because I know a lot of the people at Chelsea, it’s a club that really welcomed me,” he said when asked about the prospect of playing his former side.
“The fans gave me a warm welcome and were fantastic with me, as well as the club staff, and I have a lot of friends there.”
