He may bleed dark blue having spent his entire career at the club, but 'Mr Chelsea''s career trajectory could have been so different had Sir Alex Ferguson succeeded in enticing the youngster all those years ago. In the days before Russian billionaires and multi-million pound signings rocking up at Stamford Bridge, Terry was a self-confessed Manchester United supporter, and had been actively urged by his father in joining the Red Devils as a youth.
''I met Alex Ferguson - great to meet. During the school holidays, I would go up to Manchester and train with their boys for two weeks, play a few games and come home. But one thing that was really special about Man United was that Alex Ferguson took time out and invited me to one of their games and to have lunch with their players. I think it was hard for my dad to take that I was going to sign for Chelea, but I had to sit him down and tell him it was definitely the right decision.'' - John Terry, May 2006.
His Manchester United-supporting father needn't have worried. Within a decade or so, his son's fateful intervention would allow Manchester United to claim their third ever European Cup. Funny how things work out. Jokes aside, however, depriving Chelsea of their inspirational leader for the last 15 years would have been some coup for Sir Alex, and one can't help but feel the partnership of Terry and Rio Ferdinand would have paid dividends for the club. Who knows, maybe he wouldn't have racially abused Rio's brother in this alternate reality.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
