Chelsea have taken the next step towards handing Thomas Tuchel his dream summer signing with the help of John Terry in his new role.
The former Blues captain has returned to Cobham to begin a coaching consultancy role at the Chelsea Academy, contributing to coaching discussions, mentoring academy players, and supporting parent dialogue.
Terry will act as a figure for the aspiring graduates to look up to and use as a beacon of guidance, while for the west Londoners, he'll act as a voice of reason as Chelsea will undoubtedly look to rectify the number of exciting prospects that 'got away.'
Despite all of the Blues' success, the European champions have suffered a bitter-sweet era at Stamford Bridge whereby has Cobham seen a conveyor belt of excellent talent stake their claim at the highest level, just not all of which for Chelsea.
But, now, with Terry primed for action in his new role, Roman Abramovich can hope to see a greater number of academy prospects - past and present - take the Premier League by storm.
The likes of Eddie Nketiah, Jamal Musiala and Rhian Brewster all enjoyed spells in the academy at Cobham before being released. Still, there is one player in particular that Terry has been working his magic on in a subconscious bid to secure Chelsea their dream signing - Declan Rice.
According to The Athletic, the 22-year-old, who is valued at £67.5 million by Transfermarkt, has been subject to ongoing interest from Chelsea.
Terry has been watering a seed that he planted nearly eight years ago. He has always been on hand to support the Hammers midfielder, and this could potentially hand Chelsea the chance to buy one of the world most expensive plants, I mean midfielders.
"John would speak to the parents and take his time to get to know young players and families. For a club captain to do that is quality," the Hammers' vice-captain told the Times in 2018, detailing Terry's role in his career after having been released from the Blues' academy at the age of 14-years-old.
"I based my whole game on John when I was younger. When Chelsea released me, he called for 45 minutes, and I remember I was sitting in my room next to my dad. It was John Terry - I could not believe it."
Terry isn't just jumping on the social media bandwagon when he posts his support for Rice - the former Chelsea captain has been by the England international's side through the lows too.
"He handed over all his experience and advice. He said never to stop, always keep working hard and give everything you have.
"It stayed in my head, and look where I am now. No dream is far away. Sometimes I text him, like when he retired, and he replied, 'Thanks mate, it is your time now.'"
John Terry posted a photo in the summer of 2020 with Declan Rice around at his house.
This friendship could be a huge helping hand in Rice choosing Chelsea over premier league rivals when his time to leave West Ham comes around.
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