'I play under John Terry and this exactly what he will be like as Chelsea boss'

John Terry has already dipped into coaching with Aston Villa and Leicester but the former Chelsea captain has been told he'd be the ideal fit for the top job at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea icon John Terry would be an excellent fit for the Blues hot seat when he decides to move into management, according to a player who has experienced his leadership first-hand. While Terry is in no rush to move into a Premier League dugout, that doesn't mean he isn't enjoying his coaching elsewhere.

He spent time working under Dean Smith during the manager's stints in charge of Aston Villa and Leicester City and has worked with Chelsea's youth setup since leaving Leicester in 2023. Terry has made it clear this season that stepping into the dugout isn't currently on his agenda, dismissing speculation linking him with Oxford United and relishing his work with the Blues' academy.

Beyond that role, he is also involved in managing within Baller League, a unique small-sided league featuring ex-Premier League and EFL players alongside YouTubers and social media personalities. He is in charge of the 26ers, whose leading goalscorer Bilal Sayoud - a Chelsea supporter himself - has only good things to say about Terry's managerial credentials.

"I think it's no secret that one of his dreams is to manage Chelsea," Sayoud told The Mirror following the 26ers' heartbreaking failure to reach Sunday's season-ending 'final four' play-offs. "If you're asking me as a Chelsea fan... maybe he's perfect for what Chelsea needs right now, to unite the fan base and the club.

"Because there's a bit of a disconnect and I know [uniting the fans and club is] something that he would take immense pride and joy in. But for whatever reason, he's never been linked with any sort of managerial job.

"And it's not like he doesn't have the qualifications or the experience. He ran a winning changing room for 20 years. That's got to count for something.

"After a game, he doesn't even want to see anyone in the changing room, doesn't sleep after games. It's like he lives it through us.

"He's still got that competitive edge. I know it's going to affect him, us not making top four, but I think we had such a good season and just to fall at the final hurdle was a bit of a shame but we've definitely [put] the league on notice for next season."

Chelsea have already seen a managerial change this season, with Enzo Maresca being replaced by Liam Rosenior. Sayoud confesses his knowledge about the former Strasbourg boss is limited but he has clear thoughts on what is needed at Stamford Bridge.

"The main thing is, forget the manager and the ownership and all that, the fan base needs to be connected with the club again," he said. "Is [Rosenior] the right man? It remains to be seen [but] I thought Maresca was doing a good job.

"Obviously things are happening internally that we don't know about but that's the main thing for Chelsea at the moment. And it's hard to see, especially where we were probably five, ten years ago."

Baller League: Final Four will air live for Free from 3pm on Sunday 11th January at www.youtube.com/@BallerLeagueUK