John Terry’s return to Stamford Bridge features heavily in today’s matchday programme, which is a special collectors’ edition, with Frank Lampard and Cesar Azpilicueta paying tribute to the achievements and influence of our former skipper.
Terry and Lampard feature as our cover stars with a throwback to 2005 when the pair provided the spine to our multiple trophy-winning team. In his manager notes, the boss writes glowingly about his captain and predicts a special reception as he prepares to return as Aston Villa assistant coach.
‘It was a pleasure to play alongside him for so long and to share so many special moments together,’ writes Lampard.
‘We all know how deep his connection is to this club so I’m sure it’ll be an emotional return and that he’ll get the reception he deserves because I know how everyone feels about him here.’
On the captain’s page, Azpilicueta discusses how much Terry taught him about the role of captain, as well as stressing the need to bounce back from the West Ham defeat.
The Journey Home also focuses heavily on JT and how he made his breakthrough at Chelsea, having almost been released as a midfielder struggling to stand out at youth level, with plenty of quotes from the man himself.
Emerson Palmieri tells the story of his career in his own words, reflecting on his footballing start playing at a church, idolising the Brazilian Ronaldo and his journey from Brazil to Stamford Bridge, via Italy.
From a present Blues defender to one from our past, Mario Melchiot is the subject of the Star Gazing feature as he focuses on his tussles over the years with Ryan Giggs. Carlo Ancelotti also reveals his Secrets from the Dressing Room from our Double-winning season in 2009/10.
-This season’s matchday programme remains at £3.50 and is available in and around Stamford Bridge, the Megastore and online. Cashless payment is now available from certain sellers.