Any deficiency in pace John may have is more than compensated by a superb reading of the game while his sound technique and distribution make him more than just a defenders’ defender.

Born in east London, John has been with Chelsea from his junior days where he was initially a medium-build midfielder. Filling in as youth team centre-back one day due to a lack of fit alternatives, he has never looked back, aided by a rapid growth in physical stature.

A short and successful loan spell at Nottingham Forest helped the maturing process and having taken on board lessons first hand from the likes of Marcel Desailly and Frank Leboeuf, he was voted Chelsea Player of the Year just two seasons after his debut.

After putting a short spell of off-field problems firmly behind him, John refocused on his game sufficiently to be handed his England debut in June 2003.

His most disappointing Chelsea moment to date was illness on the morning of the losing 2002 FA Cup Final and subsequent omission from the starting XI. His proudest is taking on the captaincy he had understudied from Marcel Desailly.

From youth product to Euro 2004 regular, Chelsea supporters began this season by simply asking for more of the same from their fearless born leader which is exactly what they have received.

John’s incredible consistency has seen José Mourinho dub him ‘the best centre-back in the world’

John Terry made his England debut v Serbia & Montenegro in June 2003 after producing consistently polished displays at the heart of the Blues’ cosmopolitan defence.

Like so many others, John had a tremendous game in Istanbul helping England qualify for Euro 2004. He returned from injury to feature in the European Championship, forming a partnership in the centre of defence with Sol Campbell.

He has since continued his good form, marshalling a stingy Chelsea back-line and producing two vital goal-line clearances in England’s World Cup qualifiers with Austria and Poland.