Chelsea legend John Terry has shared his thoughts on the club’s long-term prospects, predicting that the Blues are still three to five years away from mounting a serious Premier League title challenge.

Despite Chelsea’s staggering £1 billion investment in new players, Terry urges fans to remain patient, stressing that the club is in a transition phase after signing a young squad and losing key leaders like Thiago Silva.

Speaking to The Sun, the former Chelsea captain said:

“In terms of where we were 20 years ago, we’re not there. But we’re in a transition period. As ex-players and fans, we need to be very patient with that.

“And I say that with a ‘very’ in front of it because I think we’re three to five years off competing for the Premier League, in my opinion. But it was always going to be a process. When you sign young players, there was going to be a process.”

Terry also explained that he anticipated the ups and downs Chelsea have experienced this season, attributing it to the squad’s inexperience.

“Even at the start of the season when things were going well, I expected a little drop from the players just because of that lack of experience and the game time. So I’m comfortable with the direction we’re going in.”

Now working with Chelsea’s Academy, Terry remains confident that the club is on the right track. He emphasised that Chelsea remain one of football’s biggest clubs and must continue striving to compete with the world’s best in order to restore their dominance.

For Chelsea fans, patience may not be easy, but if Terry’s words prove true, the club could be on its way back to the top—just not overnight.