John Terry to leave Chelsea at the end of the season. A tribute to our Captain, Leader, Legend.

The news that we have all expected but, have never want to have confirmed has been announced. John Terry is to leave Chelsea at the end of the season.

John Terry's stats in numbers are as follows 713 appearances, 66 goals and 14 major honours in a glittering career as he leaves us as the most successful Captain in the most successful period in our history.

There is so much I want to say about "JT", there is so much that I probably could have said after I click publish on this blog post that I would have missed and that's because right now the news is still raw although expected.

For so many years we have heard the general consensus of opinion being that now is a time for change and whoever is in charge needed to phase out the Chelsea careers of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry. All three are Legends of this club for what they achieved and the journey they took us on over the past decade or so. Didier Drogba has received the plaudits he deserved, Frank Lampard has finally received the plaudits that he deserves for being the greatest ever Chelsea player and now it's time for John Terry to receive the same as the greatest defender of the Premier League era.

22 years, 713 appearances, 66 goals, 14 major honours.

Our captain, leader, legend. pic.twitter.com/7SIYO5Jta8

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) 17 April 2017

It's nights like tonight that you stop, look back, think of what those players achieved and what happened to our club when Roman Abramovich took over. I have been fortunate enough to be blessed as a Chelsea fan with, as I said before, the most successful period of our history.

All of those Chelsea teams throughout that glittering decade were led by John Terry. We witnessed plenty of managers come through the doors of Stamford Bridge and all of them realised just how fantastic JT was on the pitch, in the dressing room and around the club as a whole.

Around the club he takes an interest in every player whether that's the in the Academy, our Youth Team, the under-23's and even the Chelsea Ladies side. He plays an active role with the players out on loan encouraging them throughout the course of the season helping them with their development. He always makes himself available to anyone at the club who needs guidance or tips with their game and how to live their lives off of the pitch. At Chelsea behind in the scenes, he is an inspiration.

In the dressing room JT commands respect because of what he has achieved, he deserves respect for what he has achieved in the game and he gets that from everyone that pulls on a blue shirt. A new signing is welcomed by JT no matter if they speak English or not, given his number and told to get in contact if they need anything to help settle them in at the club. He is the point of reference on and off the pitch.

On the pitch he IS the best defender in Premier League history without question and that's not because I am biased, Jamie Carragher an excellent defender in his own right turned pundit on Sky Sport has stated the same also. There is no one that comes close to what he has achieved, for his leadership on that pitch and his ability to read the game to win tackles.

Let me take you back to our double winning season under Carlo Ancelotti in 2009/10 and our final game of the season at home against Wigan. Chelsea eventually won the game 8-0 but heading into the fixture Didier Drogba had an eye on winning the Premier League golden boot for finishing as the leagues top scorer. Chelsea were awarded a first half penalty which, as it was when he was here, Frank Lampard was due to take being our designated penalty taker. Drogba picked up the ball and proceeded to argue with Lampard over who would take the kick. Lampard took the ball away from him and Drogba protested and showed complete and utter petulance as he prepared to take the penalty. John Terry took it upon himself to stride forward and put Drogba back in his place by reminding of the importance the game was to the team first and foremost. Drogba fell back into position and waited for the kick-off without another word said. Drogba had been told.

It's the influence and respect that JT has. He doesn't take any crap from anyone when it comes to the team which is something he has always spoken of being the most important. He expects everyone playing next to him to have the same mentality and if a single player isn't pulling their weight he bollocks them. If they are not having the best day but are giving it everything he continues to encourage and most importantly of all, he has been the voice of Chelsea on that pitch talking players through the ninety minutes organising them. It's no secret that I have been dreading the announcement made tonight because there is no-one else like him.

You look at defenders in the Premier League now and those that have played in the league ever since it was re-branded in 1992. It's my view that a centre-back should have that old-school mentality to live and die for a clean sheet, to throw their bodies on the line to do everything to stop the opposition scoring and finally to really get stuck in dominating their direct opponents. Players such as Vidic, Carragher, King and John Terry are the only ones deserving of being labelled as old-school.

As I said with Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, it's only when these people hang their boots up that people stop, look back at their careers, to see what they have achieved and the contributions they have made to our game. I sincerely hope that I get to see players of the like again in my time here but I sincerely doubt it.

Speaking today at the joint announcement made with Chelsea he said:

"After 22 years there is so much to say and so many people to thank at this great football club. From coaches, team-mates and staff to the fans who have given me so much support down the years, I can’t thank you enough. There will be opportunities for me to speak further about this over the coming weeks.

'I will decide on my future in due course, but for now I am committed to helping the team achieve success this season.

'The club and I have always had a fantastic relationship, which will continue beyond my playing days. We had some really positive talks but with everything taken into careful consideration I have decided it's the right time for me to leave. I’ve always been conscious that I depart at the right time, in the right way, and I feel that the end of this season is the right time for the club and I. I feel I still have plenty to offer on the pitch but understand that opportunities here at Chelsea will be limited for me. I’m eager to carry on playing and so will be looking to continue with a new challenge. I will of course always be a Blue and am desperate to end my final season as a Chelsea player with more silverware.

'Finally, words cannot describe the love I have for our football club and our amazing Chelsea fans. I would like to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for the unbelievable support you've shown me over the years. You mean the world to me and every trophy we've won during my time at the club we've won together. I will never forget the incredible journey we've been on. Thank you so much for everything.'

John Terry is the best defender there ever was at this club and in the Premier League. He is the most decorated Captain in our history and will be considered as one of the best players ever to play for our club.

I wish you well in your immediate future JT but hope you are back at this club sooner rather than later to eventually manage us to even more glory. What better way to sign off with another Premier League title this season? Let's hope we can deliver exactly what you deserve.

John Terry - Our Captain, Our Leader and Our Legend!