Transfer sagas are fun. I like them because there would suspense, there would be a lot of thrilling developments and more importantly there would be debates. Though some of them get really prolonged, the suspese may always remain until a final decision is made. Kaka to Man City was a classic. So was Ronaldo to Real Madrid. Henry to Barcelona was eventful too. David Villa and Ribery are unfinished sagas which have great potential to become legendary. I’m also very keenly watching what finally happens to Fabregas. So transfer sagas are fun. What I hate about transfer sagas are the ones that involve Chelsea. Quite naturally. The Robinho story was a heart breaking one last season. But we could move on. There are more such players and there is always someone who can replace players like Robinho. John Terry is not some Robinho.

The silent battle for John Terry makes me very uncomfortable. I’d surely say that Terry is weighing his options which means he is considering leaving Chelsea as much as he would consider staying here. Let’s not be blind to this and pooh-pooh the whole story. If Terry did not want to leave at any cost, he could have certainly handled this better. All our excuses that he is on holday and all that have gone out of the window. He back. He was at Stamford Bridge. He was at Cobham. He’s met the manager, staff and his fellow-players. He’s gone to the United States with the team. He’s played a pre-season friendly. He’s here among us. But he is silent.

Now it’s Lampard’s turn to talk for Terry. True to his name, he gives a very frank opinion on the whole issue:

I don’t know what he will do. I’ve been in John’s position, but everyone at the club wants him to stay. I had an option to leave last summer, to go with a manager who I love, but it came at a time in my life that, maybe, just wasn’t right. But the situation made me think an awful lot. It wasn’t an easy decision, either, and I don’t think people should criticise John. The fact is you can never take away what he’s done for Chelsea. He’ll always be a legend. I hope and I’m confident that, whatever happens, he will continue to be considered a legend here. People should respect his right to choose. When you’re a successful player this kind of thing is going to happen and then you have to make a decision. John’s a very honourable man and it doesn’t come down to money and things like that.

I know John. I know he’ll be thinking about what’s the right thing to do as a player and, in the longer term, for his career. No one should doubt that John Terry wants to be successful. No one should doubt that John Terry is a winner. This is not just about the money and people shouldn’t try to make it that black and white. It’s understandable because it’s Manchester City who have come in, but it’s up to John what happens. All I can say is that I’m very proud each time I play with him and, as a club, you want to keep players like John Terry. It’s as simple as that.

He can’t be more honest than that. He likes to compare his situation with that of Terry. That’s where I have a problem. When Lampard’s thing was going on he was in his last year of contract. He had an Avram Grant who apparently did not quite inspire him and an offer from Jose Mourinho would certainly have tempted him. I can understand that. Whereas, Terry has many years left in his contract. I don’t know what would be Terry’s rationale to move to City. I can understand if he is moving to a different league which will give him a different challenge. I can understand if he is moving to a top top club. Why would he consider moving to a club like City while the Chelsea revolution is entering a new phase?

What is that Man City offers that Chelsea does not? At Chelsea, he’s got respect, power, adulation, money and what not. He is a London boy and with Chelsea, he gets live in London. Now, that question again. What is that Terry would get at Man City that he is not already getting or may not get in Chelsea? I’m not talking about the M word here. Assuming that the M word is not the dealmaking factor (because Lampard said so), what else is? If Terry wants to go for a Barcelona or an Inter, you can certainly talk about the club prestige, new league, new country and a fresh challenge. But why Man City? Few seasons back, Gerrard was pretty close to joining Chelsea. At that time, the situation was pretty similar. At least, on Gerrard’s side he could have said that Tubby is going to win fuck all so I’m joining Chelsea who are successful under Mourinho. Still, Gerrard hasn’t touched the premier league trophy and I don’t he will ever unless he quits Liverpool. In Terry’s case, there is no reason to believe that Man City would be more successful than Chelsea. No way.

Finally, I have come to a conclusion that I need to believe some of the press reports that there is some irreparable relationship problem between Terry and someone at the Chelsea hierarchy. I refer back Terry’s response to Makelele’s accusation on him that he was behind Mourinho’s exit. Terry responded by saying that he never had that kind of power and if he had he could have changed many things at the club. Now I wonder what he was referring to. Who is he having a problem with? It can’t be with Ancelotti. Was it with Hiddink who punished Terry for a certain nightclub behaviour in March 2009? Is it with Roman? Is it with those bad elements around Roman that Mourinho once hinted about? I can keep looking for stories like a paparazzi. I know it’s not fair but if there are unanswered questions, that too such very fundamental ones, I’m bound to look for answers myself. Until and unless John Terry clears the air, in a very convincing manner (not like saying ‘I have a contract with Chelsea, I’m a Chelsea player today etc’) this is not going to die down.

Unfortunately, with every passing day amidst this uncertainty, the fans and supporters who adore John Terry as the symbol of Chelsea FC would feel let down and even if Terry decides to stay with Chelsea, he would have make do with lesser popularity than before. Because Terry has a few years left in his contract, Chelsea has no action to take if they want to keep Terry. The ball is in Terry’s court as he needs to submit a transfer request. There’s a rumour that Roman has flown to the United States to watch the pre-season friendlies and he’s going to speak to Terry. Okay then, now is the right time to run this poll. Go on.

Do you think John Terry will leave for Man City?

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In pre-season news, Chelsea beat Inter 2-0 in a very convincing fashion. It was an irony that the two players that Mourinho likes, respects and admires the most in the Chelsea squad, scored the goals. Due respects to Mourinho, Inter are a weaker team when compared to Chelsea. Give him another chance, Chelsea would still come out trumps. We were fitter, sharper and more clinical and all of this at a surprisingly high level for a pre-season friendly. I always thought that Inter did not suit Mourinho’s style. I don’t think he’s enjoying there despite his success. I don’t think he would enjoy working in the Italian league itself. In fact, he is best suited for the premier league more than any other league. If he were managing Man City for instance, his team would have given a lot tougher fight. Anyway, this win must have pleased Ancelotti as he does have some scores to settle with Mourinho.

By the way, Ancelotti has announced that 4-4-2 diamond would be the formation for this season. The last time we played this for a season was in 06-07 when Ballack and Shevchenko had to be accommodated plus when we had numerous injuries to wide players which forced us go for this 4-4-2 diamond which is also known as the 4-1-2-1-2. I’m happy that we are playing a two-striker formation. Considering the type of players that we have an their abilities, I think Ancelotti has made the right decision of adopting this as the formation for the season. That also means that we will not try to sign any wide players. As it appears, the role we might be keen to fill is that of a back up or in particular an understudy for Lampard. Something like what Mikel was for Essien and Makelele.

In other news, Malouda has finally signed the 3-year contract. I was surprised that he was offered a 3-year contract but I’m not surprised that he has signed. He had some admirers from Germany and Italy but he has enjoyed playing for Chelsea and he wants to be a part of ‘this’ team. Very good news that one. Daily Mail says that Ancelotti also expects Drogba to sign a 3-year contract. While saying so he is reported to have said that he would play a two-striker formation. He’s gone on to say that Drogba is his No.1 and that Sturridge will be in the first team this season. This ties in nicely with his 4-4-2 diamond formation.

And then comes the news that had made my day! John Obi Mikel signs a 5-year contract with Chelsea. That’s a fantastic signing. Mikel is a superb player and someone that we cannot afford to let go. He is a player you can build your defensive system around. More importantly, Mikel belongs to the next generation and he would be at the heart of the Chelsea team in say, 2012-13.

Hope you’re getting accustomed to the new theme. I’m glad that most of you liked it. As you can see, as always, I’d build on this to add or resume those little features that you always liked. And don’t forget to tell us all about how your love story with Chelsea began in the (now up and running) Why Chelsea page. Cheers!