The recent announcement that saw John Terry reveal he'd be calling time on his illustrious career on the books of Chelsea was always likely to send shockwaves around football.
Having been such a fixture at Stamford Bridge for almost two decades, much has been made about the former England captain's decision to announce his imminent departure at this stage of the campaign, with the Blues still battling on two fronts.
https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/john-terry.mp4
Just hours after a loss to Manchester United, a result that allowed Tottenham Hotspur to make up ground in the title race, the 36-year-old broke the news, as Antonio Conte's side gear up for their FA Cup semi-final with Spurs this weekend.
Still, while the timing is indeed rather bizarre, one of Terry's former teammates has leapt to the defence of his former skipper. Shaun Wright-Phillips, speaking exclusively to 888sport, believes it's the club who are at fault.
Now plying his trade across the pond with Phoenix Rising FC in the MLS, the former England international has hinted he would have thought Chelsea would have done more for their Stamford stalwart.
“I saw it on the news over here, just flashed across the bottom of the screen'.'
''I didn’t see it coming. Twenty-two years he has stayed there – pretty much his whole life – and I would have thought they’d be more for him, like a testimonial or something.''
Interestingly enough, Terry's next move has yet to be decided. He's been linked with a surprise move to West Bromwich Albion, as well as Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
Though the sight of Tery donning another club's colours on these shores may tug at the heartstrings of the Chelsea faithful, Wright-Phillips thinks the defender will stay in England after leaving SW6.
''I really think though that he will stay in England. He’s played a bit this year and that shows he’s still got a lot to give in the Premier League.''
Read the full 888sport interview with Shaun Wright-Phillips, including his thoughts on why Tottenham can still catch Chelsea