Chelsea legend John Terry believes his old side need some experience and have some way to go if they want to win the Premier League title.
Chelsea secured a fourth-placed finish and won the Europa Conference League in 2024-25 with the youngest squad in the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca’s side have carried that fine form into the new-look FIFA Club World Cup and they will face Champions League winners PSG in the final on Sunday.
Despite all of that, Terry doesn’t think the Blues are quite ready to win the Premier League title any time soon, noting they need some older heads to get them over the line.
“We’ve got a really good young squad,” he told talkSPORT.
“I know the famous saying, you can’t win anything with young players; you need a bit of experience. I do think we just need a little bit of experience, whether that’s in goal or whether that’s an old centre-back, just to guide the players a little bit on the pitch as well.
“In terms of talent and what the owners are doing, I love the idea of it. I’m not sure it goes and wins you the Premier League.
“I personally feel Manchester City and Liverpool are probably too strong at the moment, but we could come off the back of (the Club World Cup) and start the season really well.”
Earlier this year, Terry argued Chelsea were at least “a couple of years” away from being genuine title contenders.
“I think we’re a couple of years off, I really do,” he said in May. “I don’t want that to be headline stuff but I look at Man City, Liverpool - they’re stronger. Arsenal have been consistent.
“Now we invite the press too often; other teams do it. Man City have a lot to answer for, they’re the best at it but other teams try to do it and they can’t. The fans are frustrated with that over time.
“We’ve managed to secure fourth, good experience from the boys. Making signings and attracting players is big next year.”
Ripalmnosz
0
He's the blue
Coyblopt
0
The Chelsea board is full of business men,not football lovers. That's just it
fupceiluyz
2
I think you are a young football fan. That's while you begged to differ with a Legend who has seen it all. Where will you hide the truth about having experience players in the team....Players who have seen it all and knows what to do on the pitch when the days are tough
I used to hate Maresca like the plague, but slowly by slowly,he is proving to be one of the best coaches when it comes to nurturing raw young talent.Those who can't buy into his philosophy e.g Madueke, Felix are jettisoned out to create space for the likes of Estavio, Joao and Gittens.What Chelsea requires now to win the quadruple is to finish off just a half of the chances that Jackson and Madueke misses.
Naokmptuz
1
With all due respect Mr.JT,our legend,I beg to differ.We missed the title last season because of our lack of clinical finishers especially against low block teams.With all the upgrades we've done across our forward line (Estavio Willian for Noni Madueke, Joao Pedro and Delap for Jackson, and Gittens for Sancho), outscoring our opponents will be a walk in the park.COYB, KTBFFH 👍👍👍👍
I think you are a young football fan. That's while you begged to differ with a Legend who has seen it all. Where will you hide the truth about having experience players in the team....Players who have seen it all and knows what to do on the pitch when the days are tough
Yuwabilnr
1
I concur with Terry 100% . We need an Experienced goal keeper & an Experienced Central Defender just like when Thiago Silva joined in 2019.
Pehcdlmnrt
1
even PSG they are mix with experience players
fupceiluyz
5
With all due respect Mr.JT,our legend,I beg to differ.We missed the title last season because of our lack of clinical finishers especially against low block teams.With all the upgrades we've done across our forward line (Estavio Willian for Noni Madueke, Joao Pedro and Delap for Jackson, and Gittens for Sancho), outscoring our opponents will be a walk in the park.COYB, KTBFFH 👍👍👍👍
Biodilmnyz
0
Yes am with him and he is always saying the truth one love to Mr JT 💙💙⚽️⚽️
Secdilmrsy
2
Mike Tyson was a world heavyweight champion at a very young age age doesn't matter.
vuebdeikns
1
Then Chelsea should have signed Modric
Maxidon1
1
You have said it all legend, it left the owner and his management to do the remaining one
Sakdenyz
2
we need to sign one experience center back like Sergio Ramos, midfielder like isco,modric, goalkeeper like Martinez,terstegen and centre forward like Martinez.
M-CHIKA360
0
Na God go bless you Terry. but this current owners just dey do like one boju boju people biko.