CHELSEA will welcome John Terry back to Stamford Bridge with open arms when he arrives with Aston Villa tomorrow night.
The 38-year-old, who dropped down to the Championship for the final year of his career because he didn’t want to have to play against the Blues, will be an opponent at the Bridge for the first time.
And Chelsea are considering pulling out all the stops for the man almost universally known as their greatest ever captain.
The Athletic claim that Chelsea could play a video on the Stamford Bridge big screen ahead of kick-off, documenting Terry’s greatest moments in blue.
Given that JT will have coaching duties as Aston Villa‘s assistant manager, it is doubftul whether they will be able to present him to the adoring crowd.
But he will at the very least be welcomed back over the tannoy.
And last night, fans were busily setting up banners around the Bridge as they prepare to see the man that played for them for 22 years return.
A banner at the Matthew Harding End will document all of the trophies that he won with the club – while at the other end another will read “captain, leader, legend”.
Terry will be in the opposite dugout to his former team-mate and friend Frank Lampard.
During their playing days both had aspirations to manage Chelsea – but Lampard beat Terry to it.
But rather than feeling any jealousy, Terry is happy for his friend.
He told radio station Dubai Eye: “Frank has done unbelievably well since he has come in. The expectation level at the start wasnt there but I think that has helped him as well.
“The whole football club has been lifted now because they know if theyre good enough under Frank and [assistant] Jody [Morris], theyre going to get a chance.
“Its excellent. Its what the fans want to see.
For so many years, I was really the last one to come through [the Chelsea academy]. Frank will be watching every under-23 game, every under-18 game.
“The staff will have their fingers on the pulse and making sure, after an under-23 game, theyre in the dressing room telling the boys, Youre not good enough or Youre with me in training next day.
“The impact that has on the academy is incredible.
Chelsea seem to be loved by a lot of people for the first time since Ive known it. They are likeable. Its great to see players get the opportunity.
The match will kick-off at 7:30pm, with Chelsea attempting to halt a run of two defeats on the spin.
