John Terry goes viral after Chelsea crash out

February 5, 2026 Oliver Obel

Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal produced plenty of discussion, but much of it centred not on tactics or selection, but on an unexpected social media post from a club great.

Within minutes of the final whistle at the Emirates, former Chelsea captain John Terry uploaded a reaction video to TikTok that left many supporters wondering why it had been shared at all.

Filming the closing moments

Terry had been watching the match from home and began recording himself late in the second leg as Chelsea searched for a way back into the tie. Wearing a Chelsea tracksuit, he could be heard urging the team forward as stoppage time ticked on.

Those hopes ended when Kai Havertz, once a Chelsea forward himself, broke through in the 97th minute to score. Terry initially believed the move would be flagged for offside, and his reaction including the moment he realised the goal stood was captured on camera.

The clip also picked up his daughter reacting angrily and telling him, “Don’t put that anywhere dad.” The warning went unheeded.

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Terry explains the post

When the video appeared online, Terry added a lengthy caption addressing both the result and his appearance on screen.

“Losing at home was always going to be difficult in the second leg at the Emirates and that proved exactly that tonight against a solid Arsenal team,” he wrote. “Also I’m not sitting at home in my Chelsea tracksuit, got back earlier from our Youth League Game Vs PSV which we won on penalties.”

He later described Chelsea’s display as “not a bad performance,” while conceding they “didn’t look like scoring at all.”

A cautious night at the Emirates

Chelsea went into the match trailing 3-2 on aggregate and were widely expected to chase the game. Instead, Liam Rosenior set his side up conservatively, using five defenders and keeping Cole Palmer on the bench until after the hour mark.

The plan was to remain within touching distance, but Arsenal controlled the closing stages and settled the tie with Havertz’s late goal, progressing 4-2 on aggregate.

Fans react online

Reaction focused less on the goal itself and more on Terry’s decision to post the video. Some fans questioned why the former captain chose to upload such a raw moment, while others joked about his belief that Havertz was offside.

Arsenal supporters also shared the clip widely. The video has since drawn close to 900,000 views on TikTok, along with tens of thousands of likes and comments.

Still close to Chelsea

Terry remains involved with Chelsea through a part-time role in the club’s academy, having returned in 2023. He previously coached at Aston Villa and Leicester City but has since stepped away from pursuing management roles.

“I’m done in terms of coaching,” Terry told The Sun. “I’m enjoying my life, I’m working in the Chelsea academy.”

For many supporters, the clip was a reminder that even years after retiring, Terry still experiences Chelsea’s highs and lows much like any other fan and sometimes chooses to share those moments, unfiltered.

Sources: The Sun, social media posts