JOIN ME JOHN

Tony Adams urges John Terry to join him in China with Aston Villa future uncertain

The former Chelsea captain is expected to leave Aston Villa this summer, and Arsenal legend Adams is convinced China is the perfect landing spot

Sponsored by

TONY ADAMS has told John Terry he would be welcomed with open arms in China.

Aston Villa centre-back Terry, 37, is expected to leave Villa Park this summer after losing the Championship play-off final to Fulham.

Advertisement
Terry appeared emotional at the final whistle at Wembley, adding to rumours it was his final Villa appearanceCredit: Getty Images - Getty

And Adams, a consultant for several Chinese Super League teams, says the former Chelsea star would be ideal for a move to the Far East.

When asked about Terry, the former England captain said: “Come and join me in China.”

Arsenal legend Adams retired at the age of 35 following the double success of 2002.

He added: “I was ready and I’d been at one club but John has a different version.

Advertisement
Terry is rumoured to have told his teammates and manager Steve Bruce he is leaving Villa after their play-off final lossCredit: Getty Images - Getty

“I wanted to go five minutes too early rather than five minutes too late.

"His experience would see him do a job at a club, for sure.”

Terry was pictured close to tears at full-time on Saturday as his side were beaten by Fulham captain Tom Cairney's first-half strike.

Advertisement

If he were to follow Adams' advice, he would join a number of former Premier League stars in the Chinese Super League.

Flares thrown on the Wembley pitch as Fulham celebrate promotion to the Premier League after play-off win against Aston Villa
Adams is now a consultant for Chinese clubs after managerial spells at Wycombe, Portsmouth, Qabala and GranadaCredit: Arfa Griffiths - The Sun

After a foreign influx that began in 2016, no fewer than 16 ex-Premier League players currently turn out for Super League sides.

This includes the former Chelsea Brazilian trio of Ramires, Oscar and Alexandre Pato.

Advertisement

Their Stamford Bridge teammate John Obi Mikel plays for Tianjin TEDA, while ex-West Ham, Liverpool and Barcelona centre-back Javier Mascherano is at Hebei China Fortune, where he lines up alongside Arsenal flop Gervinho.

MOST READ IN SPORT

WETIHAD
Awkward moment Sky Sports pundits drenched and forced to run for cover
KARREN BRADY
Real Madrid were silly to snub Ballon d'Or but right to support Vinicius Jr
TROY DEENEY
Kids should be told 'you don't have to be Haaland, you can be Wood'
WAGES WAR
Mason Greenwood told to consider suing Man Utd by his reps after Mendy court win
Terry has made 759 appearances in English football - and Saturday at Wembley may have been his lastCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The league moved to block teams' rush to fill their squads with foreign talent in 2017, limiting the number of non-Chinese players to three per game - and teams must pay a 100% tax on signings.

The spending spree did not grind to a halt though, with the likes of Jose Fonte, Yannick Carrasco and Nicolas Gaitan joining the Chinese revolution this season.

Advertisement
Ramires joined Jiansu Suning in 2016, and is one of many former Chelsea players now plying their trade in ChinaCredit: Getty - Contributor

And in March, Congolese striker Cedric Bakambu joined Beijing Sinobo Guoan for an African-record £65m, surpassing the £56m Arsenal paid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang two months earlier.

Adams was speaking at an official UEFA Champions League Final viewing party at London’s Sky Garden.

Jlloyd Samuel remembered by Aston Villa and Middlesbrough players before Championship play-off clash
Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com