John Terry’s 2015-16 Premier League season has gone from bad to worse.
Terry was shown a straight red card Sunday in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over West Brom. Terry likely will serve a three-game ban, which would delay his potential redemption for a month.
Chelsea already was leading 3-1 when referee Mark Clattenburg dismissed Terry in the 54th minute for pulling back West Brom’s Salomon Rondon, as he was heading toward Chelsea’s goal. Terry was the last defender in that situation, and Clattenburg had little choice but to send off the Chelsea captain.
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Terry has been one of the Premier League’s leading and most rugged defenders, but he rarely sees red.
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho refused to comment on Terry’s dismissal in his postgame interview with Sky Sports.
Terry’s relationship with Mourinho has been the subject of intense speculation for a week following Mourinho’s decision to substitute Terry at halftime of Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City last Sunday. Terry’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season, and the Blues actively are pursuing Everton’s John Stones or Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane as a long-term heir to the 34-year-old defensive stalwart.
Mourinho’s inclusion of Terry in the starting lineup against West Brom suggests the Chelsea captain remains firmly in his plans for the season. Terry’s role could change in the coming weeks, amid a potential ban and late activity in the transfer market.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@ESPNFC
