Former Man Ud captain Neville: Chelsea skipper Terry not finished

“John Terry is 34, and this is going to happen”, he told Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

“There will be certain games where, as a 34-year-old centre-back, other players will need to start to be phased in”.

“I saw it with Steve Bruce at the end of his career at United, when I was playing alongside him, or with Tony Adams for England, or with Laurent Blanc”.

Jose Mourinho will be starting without John Terry desipte the Captain’s full fitness as Kurt Zouma looks to continue his solid form as a starter. Out of two spells Mou managed, Terry had always played for ninety minutes.

It was the first time Mourinho had substituted Terry in a Premier League game for 177 matches, which highlights just how big a moment it was when the Blues legend came off. I think he’s trying to force the owner’s hand to go and buy John Stones. It was a big shock to him yesterday, and it’s nearly like a public embarrassment – we’ve been there.

“John Terry is still the best centre-back out there”. Of course he’ll still play a key role for the Blues this season, but the fact Mourinho is actively looking for a centre half this summer is evidence that he’s planning for life without his leader.

“John is a player I have total trust for, with me he was never substituted, With other managers he was not selected and people thought his Chelsea career was over”.

The Citizens are back in action on Sunday as they face a tough trip to Merseyside for a clash with Everton at Goodison Park and will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the result in the corresponding fixture last season as the 1-1 draw saw them lose valuable ground in the title race.

Former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher agreed, saying: “I think Chelsea will get back into the title race, and John Terry will be in there. He’s still been one of the best centre-backs we’ve had in the league”.