Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly says it is time for John Terry to call time on his Stamford Bridge career after falling out of favour this season.
Terry has been an integral member of Chelsea’s defence for over a decade but has slipped down the pecking order under Antonio Conte.
The Italian coach favours a three-man defence consisting of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill, which has seen Terry relegated to the substitutes bench.
The Chelsea skipper has made just nine appearances this season and, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Desailly believes Terry should leave – just as he had to 13 years ago.
“I left because they were faster than me, better than me and it was my time to go – their time to shine – and now it’s his time,” Desailly told the Daily Mail.
Terry has not featured in the Premier League since September but has previously said he has no qualms with Conte’s tactical decisions and has not given up hope of agreeing a new deal.
The 36-year-old has rarely had to cope with being overlooked during his career and Desailly is convinced Terry can still play a key role between now and the end of the season.
“It’s great to see that he’s been able to handle it. You are the captain, you have been put to the side a bit because other players are more suited for the tactics required.
“It’s a different phase for John – leader as a first-choice but also leader as a second-choice.
“He’s there to boost and to be present in the group. He’s good because he gives a lot of pressure to the first choice that Conte has selected,” Desailly added.
Chelsea currently boast the second best defence in England’s top tier and have a nine-point lead at the top of the table ahead of this weekend’s trip to Burnley.
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