‘West Bromwich Albion shouldn’t plump for John Terry,’ says club hero

John Wile is one of the most cherished centre-halves in West Bromwich Albion’s history and rates John Terry as one of the best he’s seen in this country – but he does not want the Baggies to sign the former England captain.

Wile, 70, made more than 600 appearances across a 13-year stint for West Brom between 1970 and 1983 and has also been the club’s captain and caretaker manager.

Tony Pulis’ modern-day Baggies have been linked with a move for 36-year-old Terry, whose long-standing association with Chelsea comes to an end this summer, but Wile believes the Hawthorns chief should be looking for someone with a few more miles left on the clock.

“I’ve seen John Terry play and I think he’s by far and away the best centre-half in England for a long time,” said Wile.

“I’ve seen him at the Hawthorns and quite honestly, he’s played in his slippers – he’s strolled through games.

(Photo by Gerry Armes/Birmingham Mail/Popperfoto/Getty Images

“You could have taken his shirt off and put it back in the cupboard because he’s been in such command.

“But having seen him of late, I just think there comes a time when, as good as a player as you are, you need to say: ‘I can’t really do it at the top level’.

“That might be because Terry hasn’t been given enough games recently, but I think it is nearing time for him to pack it in.

“He’s still a useful player. If he did come, he’d still be a good signing but my personal view is, given the ageing defence that we’ve already got, the club has got to be looking for someone a lot younger than that.”