John Terry and Wayne Rooney’s farewells were so sharply polarised they could have come from different dimensions. The Manchester United skipper’s one of understated, almost unnoticed humility; his Chelsea counterpart’s, on the other-hand, a world of shamelessly orchestrated self-indulgence.

Indeed, whereas Rooney sheepishly entered the fray during the dying embers of a European cup final his side had sewn up well before the hour mark, both teams prioritised Terry’s ultimate appearance at Stamford Bridge over the result, Sunderland enacting on a pre-arranged agreement to kick the ball out of play after 26 minutes and Chelsea’s remaining ten men performing a guard of honour as the tear-soaked Blues skipper trod over the west London touchline for the last time.

The co-ordination involved has sparked controversy, and not just because of the three men who not-so-coincidentally placed sizeable bets on Terry to be subbed off in the same minute as his iconic kit number. We’re used to utter humility from the Premier League’s departing greats, especially the English ones – Paul Scholes retired twice yet his exits were so absent of fuss hardly anybody noticed until the following season – but Terry was unabashed by the near-nauseating saccharinity of his final goodbye.

In fact, after the full-time whistle, he revealed it was his own idea, symbolic passing of the armband to Gary Cahill included, colluding with his own manager Antonio Conte and Sunderland’s David Moyes to ensure his send-off loosely echoed a scene from Gladiator. Alan Shearer quite rightly asked whether Terry’s farewell impeded the integrity of the game on Match of the Day and former Liverpool striker turned pundit Stan Collymore has since dubbed it ‘vomit-inducing’. It certainly wasn’t easy for some neutrals to stomach.

Yet, the controversy surrounding what will likely be Terry’s final moments on the pitch as a Chelsea player (assuming he won’t be involved in this Sunday’s FA Cup final) is exactly what makes the send-off so perfectly befitting of footballer who has consistently divided opinion like few of his peers throughout an affluent Premier League career. Whilst doubters of his ability have only really come to the fore over the last few seasons, Terry’s talent and exceptional leadership has always been juxtaposed by a penchant for mindless trouble.

At this point, Terry’s misdemeanours as well known – sex scandals involving a former team-mate’s better half, allegations of racism and a fair few brushes with the law – but when a player is hanging up his boots, it feels almost spiteful to trawl through their indiscretions once again. Nonetheless, the controversy surrounding Chelsea’s send-off slots into that narrative, and perhaps highlights why – albeit, paradoxically – the wider Premier League audience should have a lot more respect for Terry, even if his actions do often lead us to question his moral code.

After all, with perhaps the exception of his former team-mate Ashley Cole, it’s hard to think of a figure more actively detested by fans of rival clubs. Since a drunken incident on 11th September 2001, practically the start of his career, Terry has been the pantomime villain, the primary target of jeers and abuse from opposing fans and the pejorative poster-boy for the tabloids, ever-looking to lament the disgraceful ungratefulness of the modern-day money-mad generation. They don’t know they’re born, and all that.

Terry’s had to contend with that for his entire career and there’s been plenty of infamy on the pitch as well; the missed penalty in the Champions League final shootout against Manchester United, the sending off against Barcelona in the same competition five years later, his shock axing as England captain, not to mention the attempts of several managers – namely Andre Villas-Boas and Rafa Benitez – to dethrone him from his place in Chelsea’s starting XI. Along the way, there have always been murmurings of Terry’s sinister influence on managerial sackings, questionable behaviour in night clubs and unruly incidents of affluenza. Even his family have been pushed into the firing line, in the coarsest manner possible.

Whereas other players would have buckled under such intense, relentless and long-standing scrutiny, however, Terry has always battled on, returning better and tougher-skinned than ever before. To not only produce the near-impervious form he has over the last 19 years but also perform his duties as a captain and leader to such an impeccable standard is not only commendable under those circumstances, it verges on extraordinary. Not simply a public hate figure refusing to shy away, but consistently excelling in defiance of the angst endlessly vented towards him. That requires a unique kind of character and a truly elite quality of footballer.

And thus, the paradoxical respect we have for Terry suddenly becomes evident; whilst his actions may appal many, his undying ability to persevere through the criticism, the abuse, the media pressure and the anger – all of which have reached near unprecedented levels for an England international playing in his own country – and still maintain his status a world-class player for majority of his career undoubtedly deserves our recognition.

Terry’s indiscretions may leave a sour taste, ones that induce dry heaving when combined with his sickly-sweet send-off, but the 36-year-old’s ability to bounce back over the last two decades – albeit, mostly from self-inflicted episodes – has been genuinely remarkable. Ever-defiant until the end, Terry’s shared his thoughts on the division over his send-off. Unsurprisingly, he’s got no time for the haters.

“I couldn’t care less, I promise you. I couldn’t care. All I care about is celebrating with my Chelsea fans. Me and them have an unbelievable rapport and have had for 22 years and no-one, whatever you write or someone says or someone’s opinion, can ever get in the way of that. So if that’s the way I wanted to go out, that’s the way I go out. You know what, because I’ve been 22 years here, won so many trophies, if I wanted to play one minute and come off I would have done. I wanted to play 26 minutes and come off because it, the shirt number. The supporters, as long as they are happy, I am over the moon with the reception I got. I promise you I couldn’t care a less.”

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard hinted that he will still be at the club next season after picking up the Player of the Year accolade at the end of season awards on Sunday night.

The Belgian has become a key player for the Blues over the last few seasons and he scored 16 goals and provided a further five assists as Antonio Conte’s side won the Premier League title this term.

His fine form has consistently seen the 26-year-old linked with a move to Real Madrid throughout the campaign, but he looks to have quashed those rumours after reacting to being asked whether he will be at Stamford Bridge next season by saying: “Yes, why not?”

Chelsea supporters were quick to have their say on Hazard’s comments via social media, and they were understandably ecstatic that he looks set to be at the Bridge next season.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

As reported by The Daily Record, Pedro Caixinha has banished Rangers midfielder Harry Forrester from first-team training, also advising him to find a new club.

It’s a particularly bold action but a sign that the manager is stamping his authority on his new look squad at Auchenhowie.

It’s not clear why the midfielder has been sent packing but The Daily Record report that it came after a workout and that the 26 year old had previously been sent away from training due to Caixinha being unimpressed with his attitude.

Rangers have a summer of hard work ahead if they’re to start to close the gap on Celtic and it’s clear the Portuguese is determined to get them there, even if it means laying down the law for players he feels aren’t keeping up.

The move hasn’t really come as a surprise to Light Blues fans who feel like Forrester is wasting his talent. They’re also enjoying the way Caixinha is setting standards at the club.

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the situation…

Tottenham Hotspur have been long linked to Monaco attacker Thomas Lemar, but it seems as though their North London rivals want to snatch him away.Arsenal are believed to be keen to bolster their options towards the top of the pitch due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Alexis Sanchez’s future at the Emirates.According toÂThe Guardian, the Gunners tabled a €35m (£34.74m) bid for Lemar, but Monaco have knocked them back.The good news for Arsenal, though, is that Lemar, who can play on either wing or through the middle, is interested in working under manager Arsene Wenger.That is obviously bad news for Tottenham fans, who regularly urge the club on Twitter to bring in Lemar.Even though Arsenal have reportedly made a move, it does not necessarily mean that a deal will be done, suggesting that the likes of Tottenham or any other suitor could swoop in.Following the latest news involving Lemar, Spurs fans have had their say on social media.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes that Romelu Lukaku will become an even better striker playing at Manchester United.

It seemed for a while that the Belgian was going to return to his former club Chelsea from Everton this summer, but there has been a major plot twist.

The Guardian reports that the 24-year-old was booked in for a medical on Thursday ahead of a £75m switch to Old Trafford.

It has been widely reported that the Red Devils have now dropped their interest in Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata, and intend to wrap up the Lukaku deal before flying to the United States for pre-season this Sunday.

If the deal does go through, Lukaku will arrive at the Premier League giants with a healthy goal tally under his belt.

Last season, the forward netted 25 goals in the top flight, and since moving to England in 2011, he has reached double figures every season bar the 2011-12 campaign when he failed to score in eight outings.

Murphy believes that United have got themselves a prolific striker, who can only improve by playing with top-quality teammates.

He told talkSPORT:

“If he is getting 20 goals at Everton and 18 or whatever it was at West Brom, logic suggests he is going to get more chances at a better team. He is a 20-goal-a-season striker proven in the Premier League and, for me, there is no way he can’t get better playing with better players.

“When you play any level of football, if you jump up a level usually everything becomes a bit easier. You would also think that less of his energy is going to be used defending when they dominate possession in so many games they play.

“There is an argument to suggest he will come up against more packed defences where he doesn’t have the space to run behind. Well, I don’t see that as a problem for him because he loves the ball on the edge of the box, rolling people because of his strength. I think it [Lukaku to United] fits. When you look at what is out there, it fits.”

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In Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths, Celtic are in many ways spoiled in the attacking department. One player is one of the hottest striking prospects in Britain right now and the other is the first man since Henrik Larsson to score 40 goals in a single season for the club.

However, since Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club they’ve both had their fair share of injury problems, either niggling or long-term and it’s left the Hoops caught short in options in the final third on a few occasions now.

The most high profile was on Wednesday night when Rodgers had no recognised senior striker at his disposal against Rosenborg, which resulted in him having to turn to Tom Rogic to lead the line which, as the match showed, he is clearly unsuited for.

While it’s too late to sign a striker for the second leg in Norway, Rodgers must at least explore options for future rounds with Dembele potentially out of action until September and Griffiths an injury doubt himself.

Here are FOUR attackers that could be a viable third man in the Hoops this season…

Ross McCormack

When you talk about potential signings at Celtic, it’s not often that a former Rangers man makes the list but in this case it is well-merited. Yes, it’s true Ross McCormack came through the youth set-up at the Ibrox club and went on to make 14 first-team appearances at the club but that shouldn’t put off the Hoops considering a move for him this summer.

Signing for Aston Villa last summer, that move to Birmingham hasn’t quite worked out for him and he was shipped off to Nottingham Forest on loan in the second half of last season.

A similar loan move to Celtic could be perfect for all parties over the coming season with Aston Villa free to divert wage resources and the Hoops getting a versatile attacker who can perform a number of roles in the side.

With the ability to lead the line and also perform a deeper role both central and on the flank, he could be the perfect cover for Brendan Rodgers. It may be hard to convince a player to come in and be the third wheel behind Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths but if that player is also challenging and covering other positions then he could become an integral part of the team regardless of those two.

Louis Moult

Louis Moult scored 15 goals in the Scottish Premiership last season for Motherwell, three more than Leigh Griffiths and just two less than Moussa Dembele, despite being part of one of the weaker sides in the league.

He may not have the pedigree that Celtic fans expect and is entirely untested in Europe but you can’t argue with that kind of goal threat, especially when you’re talking about a striker that would predominately be used as cover.

The last prolific striker Celtic signed from Motherwell was a certain Scott McDonald and he certainly coped with the step-up to the UEFA Champions League with massive goals against the likes of AC Milan and Manchester United in the group stages of the competition.

While it would be more hope than expectation that Moult could do similar, he could be the competent cover that the Hoops are looking for. He’s certainly been good enough to score against Celtic themselves as the above video shows.

Kenneth Zohore

With 12 goals and five assists for Cardiff City last season, Kenneth Zohore emerged as a real striking prospect in the English Championship and he’s a player the Hoops should definitely be keeping an eye on.

The Danish U21 internationalist won the Welsh side’s young player of the year award and could be the different option and ‘plan B’ that Brendan Rodgers may need in the coming seasons at Celtic Park.

At 6ft 3in tall, he’s a physical presence that would add a different dimension to the Hoops attack off the bench when things aren’t going the team’s way and it’s clear he has the goalscoring chops to fill in when Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths are out of action.

Anthony Stokes

If it’s a cheap option Celtic are looking for in attack, realising they already have two prize assets in Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths, then they should look no further than free agent Anthony Stokes.

He left Blackburn Rovers by mutual consent earlier this month and is looking for a club to regain the form that made him a hero with Celtic supporters.

Stokes was almost always an effective option in his time at the club, scoring 76 goals in 191 appearances, many of which were either from the bench or on the flanks.

That versatility to both play through the middle and on either wing could be a real positive and see that he finds himself with plenty of game time should he re-sign for the Scottish champions.

While things haven’t quite worked out for him at Blackburn Rovers, a return to Glasgow could see him at his best again and under the whip Brendan Rodgers he could buckle up and prove he has what it takes to still play for the Hoops.

Barcelona have sent representatives to London to hold talks over a possible move for Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho, according to Spanish publication Sport.

What’s the word?

Last season, the Brazilian playmaker was linked to Barcelona, but he seemed to put rumours to bed by signing a new long-term contract at Anfield in January.

Now, though, the rumours have returned, and Sport claim that the Spanish giants have ramped up their efforts to sign Coutinho after having a £72m bid rejected.

The Spanish publication claims that the club hope to hold talks with the player and Liverpool regarding a possible deal.

It also suggests that the Reds could be swayed if a bid of £89m is tabled by the European heavyweights.

What is the best outcome?

Coutinho is Liverpool’s best player and talisman, so the club should do everything that they can to keep hold of his signature.

The Reds are in a strong position given that the 25-year-old penned a new deal just six months ago, so there is no need for them to sell.

However, if Coutinho has his heart set on a move to the Camp Nou, then the best that Liverpool can do is squeeze as much money as they can out of his suitor.

What the Reds must avoid, though, is letting the saga drag on until the dying minutes of the window.

They need to make it clear that there is no negotiating when it comes to a fee, and given that Coutinho has publicly spoken of his joy at being a Liverpool player, he may be willing to wait until next summer.

According to the Shields Gazette, Stoke City’s Joselu is closing on a move to Newcastle United as head coach Rafael Benitez looks to boost his forward options.

Newcastle have been linked with Joselu since the start of the month, and it is now being reported that the two Premier League clubs have come to an agreement.

The 27-year-old scored four Premier League goals for Stoke during the 2015-16 season, but spent last term on loan at Deportivo La Coruna – managing six goals in 24 appearances for the Spanish outfit.

It is understood that the forward is not in the plans of Stoke boss Mark Hughes this season, but Benitez sees his fellow Spaniard as a good option in the Premier League.

Newcastle suffered a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League opener on Sunday, and it would be fair to say that the Magpies lacked a cutting edge in the final third of the field.

Joselu has experience of playing at this level of football, although the Newcastle supporters are not overly impressed with their club’s latest piece of reported transfer activity.

Leeds United will look to maintain their unbeaten start in the Championship when they host Burton Albion at Elland Road on Saturday.

The Whites are looking to recover from the disappointment of missing out on the play-offs last season despite spending the majority of the campaign in the top six, and they have certainly started well under new manager Thomas Christiansen.

They have a 100% record on the road having beaten Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest last time out – conceding just twice in the process – while they have played out goalless draws at home to Preston North End and Fulham.

Although the sale of last season’s top goalscorer Chris Wood to Burnley last month was a blow, the Yorkshire outfit have been busy in the transfer market and fans may well feel their squad is stronger overall than it was this time last year.

However, it certainly won’t be an easy task to pick up three points against Nigel Clough’s men, who have recovered well in recent weeks to a poor start to the campaign.

Here are three reasons Leeds will fail to beat Burton on Saturday…

Elland Road form

The goalless draws against Preston and Fulham this season extended Leeds’ winless run at Elland Road in the Championship to four matches stretching back to the end of last term, and it may well be an early cause for concern for manager Thomas Christiansen.

If they keep up their magnificent form on the road then it won’t be a problem, but the Spanish boss will want to start getting some goals and putting on some positive attacking performances for the passionate home faithful sooner rather than later.

While hosting Burton may look like the perfect opportunity to do that on paper, there is no easy game in the Championship.

Breaking down defences at home

So far it seems that Leeds’ playing style means that they are more effective away from home when their hosts will come out and attack them, with the Yorkshire outfit struggling to find the gaps in defence to break down both Preston and Fulham at Elland Road this season.

The former even had 10 men for the final 30 minutes but the Whites still couldn’t find a breakthrough, despite having a total of 12 efforts on goal, and they must be more incisive in the future.

Burton will probably look at this fixture as one they would love to get a point from, and Leeds will need to find a way past a side that is likely to put the majority of their players behind the ball in order to keep things thight.

Burton are improving

The Brewers looked to be in big trouble this season following three successive defeats at the start of the campaign, but they have bounced back well by picking up four points against two sides – Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday – that will be expecting to be involved in the promotion race.

Nigel Clough’s men are clearly improving and would have taken great confidence in those results, and they will have an extra spring in their step as they look to cause another upset against Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday.

Do you agree, Leeds fans? Let us know below.

Newcastle United will be looking to pick up their third successive Premier League win when they play hosts to Stoke City at St James’ Park on Saturday.

The Magpies recovered from consecutive defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and fellow newly-promoted side Huddersfield Town at the beginning of the campaign by beating West Ham United 3-0 and Swansea City 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium, and they will also be hoping to keep another clean sheet for the visit of the Potters.

Jamaal Lascelles scored the winning goal in south Wales for Rafa Benitez’s side last time out, and the team will certainly be in confident mood, believing that they can record another positive result against Mark Hughes’ men.

It won’t be an easy task though, with this weekend’s visitors reacting to a narrow opening day loss against Everton at Goodison Park with three impressive top flight results.

Here are three reasons Newcastle’s winning run will come to an end against Stoke…

They still aren’t the finished article

While some Newcastle fans may be getting a little excited following the wins against West Ham United and Swansea City in their last two fixtures, it is still clear to see that while the Magpies are improving, they are far from the finished article.

Those supporters must remember that the Irons were low on confidence and put in another dire display on the road, while the Swans have failed to score in three of their opening four Premier League fixtures.

That isn’t taking anything away from Rafa Benitez’s side – who have bounced back well following a disappointing start to the campaign – but they can’t afford to let any sort of complacency creep into their game, starting against Stoke on Saturday.

Three consecutive wins

Newcastle don’t often win three Premier League matches in a row, and in fact the last time they did it was way back in November 2014.

On that occasion, they actually won five on the bounce with the victories coming against Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers, while they failed to repeat the feat in the season they were relegated.

For those of you thinking that it is a bit of a harsh stat considering the Magpies were in the Championship last term, the last time the Toon Army won three consecutive games before that brilliant run of form was 12 months earlier in November 2013.

Of course records are there to be broken, but history certainly isn’t on Rafa Benitez’s side as they look to pick up another three points against Stoke at St James’ Park this weekend.

Stoke are a tough nut to crack

While the Potters started the season by losing 1-0 to Everton at Goodison Park in what was an even game, they have bounced back brilliantly since and are a tough team to beat.

Mark Hughes’ men recorded a fine win by the same scoreline against Arsenal with new boy Jese Rodriguez scoring the winning goal, before they picked up a creditable 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.

They showed just what a threat they can be last time out too, as they held Manchester United to a 2-2 draw despite the fact Jose Mourinho’s men visited the Potteries with a 100% record and having failed to concede a goal in their opening three Premier League fixtures.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.