Twenty-six is the captain, the heartbeat of this football club. Twenty-six runs through brick walls for this team. He has been an intrinsic part of the extreme highs and extreme lows of the Roman era.
What captain goes out of his way to reply to an impassioned fan asking him to help solve issues surrounding atmosphere? Even beyond that, what captain actually takes time out of his day to call the fan and talk with him about what is going on? Terry's reaction to a fan who had recently lost her mother was particularly poignant. He is one of us.
As a footballer and as a leader no one really touches him. In a season where Yaya Touré is content to earn millions while sulking about the Etihad every weekend Terry reportedly took a pay cut to remain at the club. He is playing as well as ever and you get the feeling that anything is possible while he remains at the core of the club.
Far too many people let their view of Terry frame their thoughts on him as a player. Name me a list of centre backs who can hit 50 yard passes from either foot? Or name a centre back that has remained at such an elite level without genuine pace? Terry's intelligence, positional play and instincts are so rarefied that few will ever approach them. It is why Terry is playing at such a high level now.
There may never have been a more celebrated goal at Stamford Bridge than his header against Barcelona. Big goals, big moments and big games.
"For John Terry, dying on the pitch would be an honour. You'd have to kill him and he might still play" - Luiz Felipe Scolari
John Terry is the captain of all team captains, he was born with the captain's armband on his arm.
One word from him, and the locker room holds its breath. He's the first one to sit down at meals, the first one to stand up.
Being part of this club is his mission, that's how he was made. He pays close attention to the performances of the youth team, he keeps up, he knows all the scores, he misses nothing.
He works twice as hard as everyone else, he has the sense of responsibility of someone who runs a company, a people, a philosophy that above all has to win. - Carlo Ancelotti
· 
Chelsea F.C., carefree. vol 82
