JOHN TERRY

The defensive inspiration for Chelsea and England, John Terry has shown remarkable resilience despite the off-field dramas that have threatened to derail his career.

One of the few to have graduated from the Chelsea Academy to the first team, Terry went on loan to Nottingham Forest in 2000 before establishing himself alongside Marcel Desailly in the Blues’ defence. In 2004, he was named the Chelsea captain and led the side to back-to-back Premier League titles under Jose Mourinho, as well as FA Cup success.

First called up to the England squad in 2003, he cemented his place in the first-team at Euro 2004 and rose to captain his country under Steve McClaren after the 2006 World Cup. Making his name as a commanding centre-back, Terry’s influence continued to rise, but he missed the crucial penalty in the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United, allowing Chelsea’s Premier League rivals to take home the trophy.

He has twice been stripped of the England captaincy. In February 2010, he lost the armband after a series of tabloid stories about an alleged affair between Terry and the former partner of England, and one-time Chelsea, team-mate Wayne Bridge. It led to Fabio Capello removing the armband, but Terry ended the season on a high as Chelsea claimed the Double.

He again came in for criticism for off-field matters during England’s woeful World Cup campaign in 2010 when he was accused of undermining Capello during a press conference, and in 2012 he lost the captaincy for a second time when he was accused of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand. He was later cleared in court.

Terry realised his dream of lifting the Champions League trophy with Chelsea in May 2012, but he had sat out the match through suspension after a moment of madness against Barcelona in the previous round.

Strengths: A commanding, no-nonsense style of player who does not get bullied. Excellent in the air, in a positional sense, and willing to throw himself in front of anything to stop a shot, he is a first-rate defender.

Weaknesses: Has been caught out in the past by strikers with pace and could use a burst of acceleration.

Career high: Winning back-to-back Premier League titles with Chelsea in 2005 and 2006, he was then announced as England captain in August 2006.

Career low: Missing a penalty in the 2008 Champions League final shootout defeat to Manchester United.

Style: Uncompromising, tough, passionate, a natural leader.

Quotes: “We all know what a good centre-half he is. We all know what a warrior he is and we all know he is capable of taking other players with him” England boss Roy Hodgson, June 2012

Trivia: Terry still has his shirt from the losing 2008 Champions League final, which he kept in a separate cabinet in his trophy room as a constant reminder of his desire to win the competition.