Harry Redknapp: Chelsea's John Terry would've been my first phone call as England boss

England recall? Sam Allardyce refused to rule out the possibility of naming John Terry in his squad
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Harry Redknapp25 August 2016

The first phone call I would have made if I’d got the England job would have been to John Terry. He retired in 2012 after what he felt was harsh treatment by the FA but I would have done everything to convince him to come back and I can see why Sam Allardyce raised the possibility this week.

Sam was a centre-back himself. He knows what type of people you need and he can see there aren’t any John Terrys around any more. Centre-backs like that have disappeared from the game. The suggestion seems to be John isn’t interested but I’m sure deep down Sam would like to pick him.

You need leaders and people with a bit of character. I’ve said many times John is the best England captain since Tony Adams.

People don’t realise the importance of someone like that on the pitch — they organise your team for you. A manager can shout all he wants but if you have 11 lost souls running about with no leadership, you are in trouble. That’s exactly how England looked against Iceland at Euro 2016.

Age isn’t a concern and I could see him forming a partnership with John Stones, helping him to adjust to international football.

It might impact on his Chelsea career but he loves his country and would just train even harder to get himself right for both.

It would be a bold move but if Sam thinks it is the right thing and he could talk John around, he wouldn’t hesitate to do it.

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