Jamie Carragher has indicated that John Terry needs all the help he can get to retain the mantle as England's best centre-back.
The 34-year-old Chelsea captain looked well below his best in Sunday's eventual 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Etihad Stadium which led to him being hooked at half-time by Jose Mourinho.
In the wake of that out-of-character performance, Carragher spoke of Terry and how he does require those around him to be at their best for him to perform at the peak of his powers.
"This isn't just a question of John Terry's pace and that he can't run – he's never been able to run. He's still been one of the best centre-backs we've had in the league," he told Sky Sports' 'Monday Night Football'.
"The biggest help has been [Nemanja] Matic in front of him and [Cesar] Azpilicueta right next to him. He needs protection.
"If he gets that protection I still think he looks one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. Expose him, and he looks an average centre-back."