Troy Deeney: I tried to ‘smash up’ John Terry, but he was a Rolls Royce and taught me instant lesson

Watford legend Troy Deeney came up against some of the best defenders in Premier League history.

And with 47 goals from 165 Premier League appearances, Deeney was a menace in his own right.

The former striker was a physical powerhouse, able to outmuscle and bully his opponents, but some were just too good.

And one of those was Chelsea legend John Terry.

Speaking to talkSPORT.com, Deeney recalls a trip to Stamford Bridge after Watford were promoted to the Premier League in 2015.

The 36-year-old came up against an ageing Terry and managed to get himself on the scoresheet with a penalty in a 2-2 draw.

But while the Hornets got a valuable point against the reigning English champions, who were in complete disarray that season, Deeney left west London with a lasting impression of the iconic Chelsea skipper.

“The best organiser was John Terry,” Deeney said.

“I remember playing Chelsea when we first got into the Premier League. We played them in the FA Cup, but when we first got into the Prem and we were in the tunnel, we were a relatively tall team, and we were a physical team.

“So I was feeling big and strong, and I remember Terry walked out – they had Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic, Petr Cech, Diego Costa, Oscar – and you just go, ‘Oh wow’.

“That tunnel at Stamford Bridge is really tight as well, so I’m feeling myself. I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to smash him up today. It’s my chance to get at John Terry’.

“And then it’s like, oh no, that ain’t happening. That just ain’t happening.

4

“He was just so good. The way he organised, he didn’t let anyone move around, and he was basically just a Rolls Royce. He conducted the whole thing.”

Deeney stopped short of naming Terry as his toughest ever opponent, putting him alongside two fellow Premier League legends who boasted different skills.

The Watford icon famously hated playing against Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, listing his hair and smell as two of many incredible attributes.

But one centre-back ranked above Terry and Van Dijk when it came to the physical battles.

“It depends on how you want to quantify it,” Deeney said when reflecting on the best defenders he faced.

“Kompany was the most physical, so I used to enjoy that battle, but obviously we were playing Man City, so I got d***ed most weeks. 

“Van Dijk was the best in terms of… he did everything.”

4

4

With strength, leadership and overall skill covered, Deeney reserved a special mention for the fastest player he came up against: Kyle Walker.

The former centre-forward knew running the channels was futile against the Manchester City right-back.

“Kyle Walker was a disgrace, as well, just so quick,” Deeney said.

“I had an okay level of pace. Okay at best. With him, there’s no point running.

“You’re just like, ‘Oh, he’s got it’. Then just get back in, just leave it, try and attack a different way.

“We would do game plans to attack down the other side, even though our best side was our left side, we would work on our weaker side, just to keep it away from him.

“He’s just so good.” 

JOIN THE DUGOUT

Have your say on all things talkSPORT by joining ‘The DUGOUT’ – our new listener panel.

We’re all about diving deep into your perspectives, and making sure talkSPORT is the absolute best it can be. Your voice matters, and we want to hear it!

Pitch your game-changing ideas, and join in with fun surveys, polls, and locker-room discussions.

Just by joining, you’ll enter a prize draw to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers, with another prize draw entry for every survey you complete after that

To join the ‘The DUGOUT’ panel, please click here.