Chelsea’s 4-1 FA Cup victory over Peterborough had many benefits. Michy Batshuayi got on the scoresheet, Ruben Loftus-Cheek was given a chance and Kurt Zouma played 90 minutes for the first time in eleven months. And of course, they won (and have drawn Brentford in the fourth round).
John Terry’s performance was not one such benefit. The Chelsea legend has struggled to get any game time this season, his plight not aided by Antonio Conté’s switch to a 3-4-3 formation. Three at the back puts a premium on traits Terry is hardly known for, particularly at 36. Pace and a wide range of passing are two of the crucial skills David Luiz brings to the defence, which are greatly missed in his absence.
Given Terry’s history at the club and his ‘captain, leader, legend’ status in the Shed End, one would be forgiven for thinking he was closer to the starting XI than his physical attributes may lead you to believe.
Such suggestions were well and truly quashed on Sunday, however. Isolated at the back, Terry was faced with the task of stopping the agile Lee Angol. Stopped him he did, although he did so in a farcically cumbersome way.
Many may have thought that Conté was unperturbed by the resultant one-match suspension. Terry is far from a staple in his starting lineup, so it may come as a surprise to hear that Chelsea have appealed his red card.
Conte was clear that he felt the decision was harsh after the game:
“I think it wasn’t right, this decision from the referee. John didn’t take the opponent and also the second reason was because behind John there was Ivanovic to cover John.
“It’s a pity when this happens because the red card is not good. You have to respect the referee’s decision but in this case, maybe we will do an appeal. The situation is very clear and I think John didn’t deserve this.”
Terry has been clearer, taking to Instagram to announce his intention to appeal the suspension.
It is reported by the Daily Mail that the appeal will be heard on Tuesday. Regardless of the result, however, the rashness of the challenge renders Terry’s chances of sufficiently impressing Conté in future look irreversibly depleted.