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…

Gary Cahill

The current frontrunner, having assumed the armband on the pitch in Terry’s absence under Conte. On paper, Cahill is cut from the same cloth as Terry and would be the ‘like-for-like’ choice.

Playing in the same position, with a wealth of experience for both Chelsea and England, Cahill has been alongside Terry since his move from Bolton Wanderers to Chelsea back in 2012. He’s won it all at Chelsea, literally, and has arguably already assumed Terry’s role on the pitch this year.

This CV already seems flawless, but Blues fans would suggest otherwise. Cahill would be many fans’ first player in the firing line to be replaced in the starting XI by a summer arrival.

This may be harsh, Cahill was just voted in the PFA Team of the Year, but Chelsea supporters see cracks in his game and still see him as a stop-gap in their defensive development.

Regardless, Cahill is the clear favourite and, especially off the pitch, would most likely provide the smoothest transition from the old to the new.

Cesar Azpilicueta

One of the most under-rated players in the Premier League. ‘Dave’, as he’s affectionately named by the Chelsea faithful, has played every minute of Chelsea’s Premier League season so far.

Azpilicueta defines professionalism, averaging excellence since his arrival from Marseille in whatever position the manager places him in. From right-back to left-back, to centre-back, the Spaniard is the epitome of a rock at the base of Chelsea’s team.

Less openly vocal than Cahill, but no less popular, Azpilicueta’s captaincy would be based on setting the bar on the pitch. Anything less than 100 per cent effort is alien to him, and it’s an example that the young players coming through at Chelsea would do well to strive towards.

Less likely than Cahill to pick up the armband, yet almost certainly more likely to remain in the Chelsea team for the foreseeable future, Azpilicueta would likely be the fans’ choice.

David Luiz

Another fans’ choice and the comeback king. Written off as a fraud, and somewhat of a joke, by football pundits and journalists when he left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2014, Luiz has returned to English football with a mission.

Again, his transfer back to London was quickly written off as footballing humour back in August, but the Brazilian immediately silenced his critics. Defensive solidarity and obvious leadership at the centre of Chelsea’s three at the back has earned Luiz plaudits from all angles, and the panic buy suddenly seems anything but.

Off the field, Luiz has never had any problems with endearing the fans, with his constant smiling, joking and generally positive attitude. Take a glance at any Instagram story of the Chelsea players and you’ll see cameos from Luiz. No bottle-flip, trick-shot or prank is out of his skill-set.

Most of all, he clearly loves the club and is an ever-growing cult hero that would wear the armband with just as much pride as anyone else. A slightly more left-wing choice, but one that would bring a smile to the faces of everyone involved with Chelsea.

These are the three main candidates to pick-up the armband that Terry will leave behind when he finally leaves the club in June. There’s no coincidence that all three come from the back-line, it’s the traditionalists place for a captain and one that certainly suits Conte’s Italian mentality, a solid team starts at the back.

More attacking players such as Eden Hazard don’t need the responsibility of the armband, and are best left to focus on their own game. Cesc Fabregas has been mooted, and has all of the credentials of a captain, yet his potential summer exit has damaged his chances.

So Chelsea fans shall await Conte’s decision on who will be their new ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’, yet the overwhelming feeling is that no-one will ever fill the role like John Terry has.

Will he bow out with his hands on yet another trophy? For now, Chelsea fans hold their breathe and wait…