John Terry: Cup final is not about revenge for 5-3 nightmare

JOHN TERRY doesn’t remember too much about the 2007 League Cup final.

John TerryGETTY

John Terry will need to keep the prolific Harry Kane quiet

He took a boot to the chin from Abou Diaby and had to be taken off on a stretcher with an oxygen mask over his face.

He does not want to be reminded of the 2008 final either, as that brought an even more painful 2-1 defeat by Tottenham.

So tomorrow Chelsea’s captain is hoping to write a new, happier chapter in Chelsea’s history.

Terry has not lost many cup finals in his long career at Chelsea – the FA Cup final in 2002, and the Champions League final, also in 2008, are the only ones to escape his clutches in the 17 years since he first made his debut as a teenager.

Tomorrow represents Chelsea’s first chance to win a trophy in Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge. And it was Terry who led Chelsea up the steps of Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium to lift the first prize won by the Special One in English football, the 2005 League Cup – the moment that kickstarted the most successful era in Chelsea’s history.

Terry recalls the effect that first win had on the club, and believes a Wembley win today could herald an even more illustrious period.

“It was the first one for the team, which made a big impact through all the squad. It set us on our way. It gave us a taste of what we wanted – and we wanted more,” he said.

“It brought the squad closer together. The manager is right – we have got to win trophies to put us right up there.

“Like everyone I felt something different when the manager came into the club. There was a different mentality.

“Everything was about winning. He made that clear from day one. That rippled through the whole squad, through the academy, through the whole club. And he has brought that back again this time.

“A lot of people write this competition off, but for me it is huge. Looking back on that 2005 season, it had a huge impact on our confidence and momentum. And Wembley is an unbelievable stadium to go up those stairs and lift a trophy.”

Chelsea v Tottenham - League Cup Final Preview

Chelsea won the league at the end of that season, repeated the feat the following year, and the year after won both the FA and League cups.

It was still essentially Mourinho’s team that reached the 2008 final, though by then Avram Grant was in charge. Didier Drigba gave Chelsea the lead, but Dimitar Berbatov levelled from the penalty spot, and in extra time Jonathan Woodgate headed the winning goal.

Terry said: “It was a real disappointment obviously but as you get older you move on. We have gone on to win major trophies since. Losing happens. Sometimes it can have a positive impact.” 

Honours are even between the sides this season, Chelsea winning 3-0 at home, and then Spurs triumphing on New Year’s Day 5-3 in an extraordinary game at White Hart Lane, but Terry believes those results will have no bearing on what happens tomorrow.

“Everyone is rattling on about that result but it was comfortable for us at the Bridge. I don’t see it as a revenge thing. But it means a lot to the players and the supporters for sure,” he said.

“We have the squad to win if we play well. But if we are not at our best, we have seen that Tottenham are very good.”

That night at White Hart Lane it was Harry Kane who did Chelsea grievous damage, with two goals and a performance that ran their defence ragged. The Spurs striker, who has hit 24 goals this season, was left out of Thursday’s starting line-up as his side crashed out of the Europa League, so he should be fresh for Wembley.

“Harry is a very good player, his movement is fantastic and he is in great goalscoring form,” said Terry.

“But he has got to be able to do that year after year – and for England I hope he does. It is great to see young players coming through and getting their opportunities. If he keeps scoring there’s no reason why he can’t get in the squad and stay there.

“There’s a lot of quality throughout the Spurs squad. I’m surprised they are not higher in the league. They are a really good squad and they will only get better.”

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