John Terry can serve his country best by quitting England

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Published 22:50 28/02/10

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The maelstrom surrounding John Terry has reached new heights and the former England captain must serve his country by stepping down from the squad altogether.

I was critical of England boss Fabio Capello for removing the captaincy from Terry when news of his infidelity with the ex-partner of Wayne Bridge emerged.

But having seen the depth of anger this has caused in football and in the country at large, further action may well sadly be necessary.

With Bridge dropping out of the England squad and refusing to shake Terry’s hand when Manchester City visited Chelsea on Saturday, it is clear this situation isn’t going to go away.

I can only imagine more stories and problems emerging if either man were to go the World Cup with England.

So unless Terry and Bridge can sort things out between them, then neither should be on the plane to South Africa.

Terry is under the spotlight like never before and he is not revelling in it.

He is not playing well for Chelsea and Carlo Ancelotti’s team have hit worrying form at the worst time in the season.

Chelsea conceded four goals at home against Man City to lose 4-2.

And Terry doesn’t look focused on his football, which is understandable.

Now there are probably plenty more stories to come out of the Bridge camp as they are unhappy their man has had to fall on his sword and pull out of the England squad.

So I think for squad unity, Terry needs to do the same thing and drop out as well.

I don’t think he will. but I wonder if Capello may now step in - as he did with the captaincy.

Capello has already stripped Terry of the armband and may decide the squad is better off without him altogether.

With Terry around, any potential discord before and during the World Cup will be highlighted.

David Beckham was vilified after England’s exit from the World Cup in France 1998.

And Terry could get the same treatment if his behaviour is seen to be responsible for England failing this summer.

So I imagine Capello is assessing his other options to play in the centre of defence.

New skipper Rio Ferdinand is going to be a certainty if he is fully fit, but other candidates include Matthew Upson, Wes Brown, Michael Dawson, Phil Jagielka and Ryan Shawcross.

Sadly, none of them are as good as Terry at his best.

But can Terry, with all the potential distractions around him, guarantee he will be physically and mentally right this summer?

Bridge has already made his point that he thinks he can’t and I am not convinced Terry can either.

I would have liked to see Bridge wait a little longer until he made his decision though - he could have dropped out of the squad for the Egypt game only initially.

Now he has opted out though, it does not leave long for Capello to look at left-backs as Ashley Cole is crocked.

Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock has had a fantastic season, Everton’s Leighton Baines is quality and then there is Fulham duo Paul Konchesky and Nicky Shorey.

Shorey is an interesting one because he couldn’t get into Villa’s team and has been loaned out to Nottingham Forest and now Fulham.

But he would be the one I would go for because he has played for England before.

He is not a dynamic, bombing-forward full-back but he won’t let anyone down and I wouldn’t discount him.

He concentrates on his defending and, more often than not, doesn’t get flustered.

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