Pat Nevin has highlighted the importance of John Terry to the Chelsea Football Club.

The Blues captain was on the verge of leaving the West London club at the end of last season before being mentioned as a possible returnee for the England squad.

Terry, 35, was eventually handed a new one-year deal to remain at Stamford Bridge while a Three Lions return never really materialised but there is no denying his vitality to Chelsea, even after David Luiz's sensational return.

"There was a little flurry of interest around Sam Allardyce maybe talking John Terry into a return to the international fold," Chelsea great Nevin wrote in his column for the official website.

"I think JT was right to give that idea a very wide berth indeed - the circus around it would have been ridiculous.

"He quietly demurred and with any luck it will have the effect of lengthening his career even longer.

"Even though Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Kurt Zouma and Branislav Ivanovic are around, Terry is still invaluable for not only his leadership but also his ability to teach those around him."