Liverpool legend and television pundit Alan Hansen feels that Chelsea captain John Terry's recent out-of-sorts displays could cost England World Cup glory this summer.
The Chelsea skipper’s form has dipped after a turbulent season that has seen him lose the England captaincy and endure a very public clash with former team-mate Wayne Bridge.
Hansen told Daily Star Sunday: “By his standards he’s had an indifferent season.
“He has been on the deck more times than he has in the last four seasons put together.
“Terry has never been the quickest. He’s always been a brilliant positional player, brilliant in the air and very good on the ball.
“But this season he’s had one or two niggles.
“What happens with centre-backs is they got older and suddenly they lose that bit of pace they had. They tend to go to ground more.”
Despite his problems, Hansen thinks Capello will start with Terry against the United States in England’s first game on June 12.
Hansen added: “If he is fit and playing well, it enhances England’s chances of getting to the semi-final.
“Rio Ferdinand has also been injured. It’s a big risk to throw two rookies into the World Cup finals, who’ve never played alongside each other.
“That’s where the manager earns his money.
“He’s got to have a look at Michael Dawson.
“But I imagine he’ll be inclined to play Ferdinand and Terry all the course.
"If you’ve got a concern about them would you take Ledley King who can potentially get injured?
“There will always be a problem with the goalkeeper. I don’t think there’s one who stands out.
“Joe Hart’s had a great season but he’s a kid.
“Would you as a centre-back want to play with a kid? No.
“Paul Robinson has had a fantastic season. Will Capello pick him? Probably not.
“And Robert Green and David James are not playing for strong sides.
“They’ve been picking the ball out of the net consistently all season.”
The Chelsea skipper’s form has dipped after a turbulent season that has seen him lose the England captaincy and endure a very public clash with former team-mate Wayne Bridge.
Hansen told Daily Star Sunday: “By his standards he’s had an indifferent season.
“He has been on the deck more times than he has in the last four seasons put together.
“Terry has never been the quickest. He’s always been a brilliant positional player, brilliant in the air and very good on the ball.
“But this season he’s had one or two niggles.
“What happens with centre-backs is they got older and suddenly they lose that bit of pace they had. They tend to go to ground more.”
Despite his problems, Hansen thinks Capello will start with Terry against the United States in England’s first game on June 12.
Hansen added: “If he is fit and playing well, it enhances England’s chances of getting to the semi-final.
“Rio Ferdinand has also been injured. It’s a big risk to throw two rookies into the World Cup finals, who’ve never played alongside each other.
“That’s where the manager earns his money.
“He’s got to have a look at Michael Dawson.
“But I imagine he’ll be inclined to play Ferdinand and Terry all the course.
"If you’ve got a concern about them would you take Ledley King who can potentially get injured?
“There will always be a problem with the goalkeeper. I don’t think there’s one who stands out.
“Joe Hart’s had a great season but he’s a kid.
“Would you as a centre-back want to play with a kid? No.
“Paul Robinson has had a fantastic season. Will Capello pick him? Probably not.
“And Robert Green and David James are not playing for strong sides.
“They’ve been picking the ball out of the net consistently all season.”
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