Top 3 candidates to succeed John Terry as Chelsea captain

In the midst of a disappointing setback in their title charge, with a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford, the stormy cloud over Chelsea Football Club took a melancholic turn.

After a 21-year spell on the books at Stamford Bridge, club icon John Terry announced that he would be leaving SW6 at the end of the 2016-17 season.

Regardless of his recent playing time, which has been minimal under manager Antonio Conte, Terry will be extremely missed by all at the club. Whether it be his team-mates, the fans, the kitchen staff or the youth players, everyone at the club has been influenced by the club’s leader.

In an interview with Chelsea TV the other day, Terry revealed how he values his personal contact with every individual at the club as the key aspect to a successful captaincy. As a montage flashed by of Terry watching youth matches, joking with the ladies’ team and leading club-associated charity visits, it was obvious that he was one of a kind.

These are the aspects of being a footballer that people don’t see, and that aren’t taken into account within the fire of footballing debates. Assuming that Terry’s limited minutes on the pitch means that he is easily disposable is a mistake. Be it on the pitch or off it, Chelsea won’t be the same without ‘JT’.

Before entering the transfer market and improving his squad, Conte has a big decision to make. Who takes the armband from Terry?

Who fills that void and can be trusted to live-up to such intense dedication to the club? Shoot! looks at the top three candidates…