Exclusive news: John Terry just selected his replacement, get to know him

John Terry, whose contract with the Blues is up at the end of the season, has selected an academy player who he would like to fill his boots at the heart of Chelsea’s defence next season.

Jake Clarke-Salter, 18, is a product of the Chelsea academy who Terry has personally said “I remember watching him a couple of years ago being in control of the game and a really vocal player. He reminds me a bit of myself.”

Clarke-Salter, the 6 foot 2 defender, who joined the Blues’ academy at the age of 8, has been pivotal in the Chelsea youth team, captaining the under-18s and leading them to 2 successive youth FA cups and the UEFA youth league.

The current Chelsea captain, Terry, went on to say “He is doing great and I hope he goes on to take my position and get in the first team. It was great for him to make his debut.”

Clarke-Salter finally made his professional debut on the 2nd of April 2016, coming on in the 74th minute against bottom of the Premier League side, Aston Villa in a 4-0 win.

Roman Abramovich is also keen for the England Under-19 youngster to stay put and to create a legacy. The hierarchy at the West London club gave the up and coming defender a four year contract in November, keeping him with Chelsea until 2019. However, should he follow in JT’s footsteps, it is to be expected that this to be for a much longer period of time.