Former Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins has warned that John Terry will be a "great loss" to the club when he brings an end to his time in West London this summer.
The long-time Blues captain announced this evening that he has not been offered a new contract at Stamford Bridge and will leave the club after 18 seasons at the end of the current campaign.
Terry also confirmed that he will not be hanging up his boots, although he ruled out a move to another club in England.
"I'm slightly flabbergasted to be perfectly honest. A couple of weeks back I read in the written media that Guus Hiddink was going to recommend that the board give John another year. Maybe that has been the start of them pushing things along at the club," Wilkins told Sky Sports News.
"I do [believe has another year in him]. First and foremost his performance is at a very similar level to last season, where he played every game. This year he has been a major player in their season. The Premier League isn't going as well as it should be, but it's not only on the field that John has the quality that every club desires, it's off the field.
"He leads the club, he leads the players in that dressing room wonderfully well. He always has done, and I'm sure until he leaves in the summer he still will do. I think he will be a great loss to Chelsea Football Club, I really do."
Terry has won four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League during an illustrious career with Chelsea.
Barney Corkhill
