Former Chelsea captain John Terry has laid down the challenge to his new teammates by disclosing that only the English Championship title would be acceptable at the end of the season.
Terry joined Aston Villa on a free transfer this summer after impressive work from manager Steve Bruce and the former Manchester United player didn’t waste time in making him club captain.
The former England international defender’s transfer coupled with the signing of experienced campaigners like Glenn Whelan, Ahmed Elmohamady, and Christopher Samba has made Aston Villa favourites to gain promotion to the top flight at the end of the season.
On expectations for the new season, John Terry said: ‘Should we be winning the league, yes? If not, what are you going to take from there? Nothing, because nothing else is really acceptable, for me as an individual, how I have behaved in recent years. And I think within the group as well.
‘With the squad of players we already had, and with the additions the manager has made, we have a squad capable of going up. If we put things right on the pitch we are more than capable of going up.
“Clearly we want to be champions. The worst case scenario – and in this league you do get a buffer – we go up as runners–up. I am sure we would take that as well. Ideally to go up automatically is the one for us.” he added.
Terry pointed put the importance of starting well in their league opener against Steve Bruce’s former club Hull City at Villa Park on Saturday. He said: “It’s important for us to get off to a good start, live on TV, against the manager’s ex-team.
“They are going to come with a point to prove.” The 15-time major honours winner stated further.
He won 5 Premier League titles, one Champions League, one Europa League, 3 League Cups and 5 FA Cups during a glittering 19-year career at Stamford Bridge. John Terry however pointed out that the barren seasons still sting and will provide motivation at his new club.
“Having a taste of winning and then having seasons when you don’t win, they burn unbelievably,” Terry said. “When you play 38 games throughout the year and walk away with nothing, that still makes me boil inside. The opportunities I have missed out on, not winning six titles, not winning six FA Cups.
“That burning desire, whether it is training games, or table tennis against the kids, that is my character. I want to win. You have either got it or you haven’t. I am very grateful I have got it and the ambition is very clear to me.’ .
‘But it is exciting to be here,’ he said. ‘The club deserves to be in the Premier League. I have experienced pressure at the highest level whether as England captain or Chelsea captain. I have been scrutinised rightly or wrongly over the years but that comes with football nowadays. That doesn’t bother me at all.
“Clearly I am not going to perform well every game, I know that going into every season. But what I will give is everything and I am pretty sure over the 46 games there are going to be a lot more better games than there is the other way.” he concluded.
