Fact Or Fiction: Should Chelsea Be Starting John Terry?

“Fact Or Fiction” is a series that will be run every Friday. In this series, an assertion will be made regarding an impacting topic in the Premier League. EPL Talk writers Matt Hackenmiller and Earl Reed each offer their views on whether the statement is “Fact or Fiction.”

Fact or Fiction: John Terry should remain a starting defender for Chelsea.

MH: Fiction. There comes a time, no matter what sport, when a team must replace a star veteran player. Chelsea is now at that point with there acclaimed defender. Terry has had a distinguished career and will go down as one of the best defenders of the Premier League era, but as age has set in, JT has lost a step, which is part of the reason that Chelsea’s backline has struggled this season. It has become quite clear that he is no longer an elite defender that can anchor a championship club. Terry can still contribute to the Chelsea cause, but he should no longer be considered a first choice center back at Stamford Bridge.

ER: Fact. Has Terry lost some of the abilities of his younger days? Certainly. He made a clear blunder in the match against cross-London rivals Arsenal. With all that said, the guy has been the leader on defense.  He’s had his distractions in recent weeks, which has probably caused a lack of focus at times. Maybe in the short-term Andre Villas-Boas could do Terry a favor and sit him in order to help him take care of these issues. He also has a way of scoring big goals at big moments. I think once the dust settles, Terry can still be an important part of the Blues squad, and shouldn’t be dropped permanently for the big matches.

What do you think, is it fact or fiction that John Terry should remain a starting defender for Chelsea?