John Terry’s decision to retire from international football on Sunday night surprised many people on the eve of his FA hearing.
As the Chelsea skipper fights to clear his name once and for all, it ends a great career on the field at international level.
Despite his troubles privately which meant he lost the captaincy twice, Terry’s commitment on a football field for his country cannot be questioned.
However, Roy Hodgson now has a job to do and that is to earmark out a long-term replacement for Terry.
Barring injury or a dramatic loss of form, Gary Cahill of Chelsea, Everton’s Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott from Manchester City should be the regular centre backs for the months ahead.
However, Hodgson has other potential options and here are five names he might want to consider for future assignments.
Phil Jones (Manchester United)
Phil Jones went to Euro 2012 as an understudy for Glen Johnson at right back but the 20-year-old’s more natural position is in the centre of defence.
Tipped as a captain of the future for both club and country, Jones (pictured) can play anywhere across the back and even as a holding midfielder.
He loves to attack and is learning very quickly the traits of the defensive game.
An injury will keep him out until at least November but he has to be the favourite as Terry’s long-term replacement.
Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur)
Steven Caulker is growing quickly onto the England radar following an excellent loan spell at Swansea City last season.
He played last week for Tottenham against Lazio in the UEFA Europa League and current club manager Andre Villas-Boas clearly sees him part of the long-term vision in north London.
Caulker played well in Team GB’s awful campaign at the Olympics and was called into the England squad for the friendly with Italy in August.
He has a long way to go but the talent is there and the potential could make Caulker into a star of the future.
Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
Chris Smalling has a bright future and has played very well in a competitive Manchester United side for the past two seasons.
He has made a handful of appearances for England under Fabio Capello and offers an alternative of playing at right back like his club colleague Jones.
Currently injured, he could become a permanent member of the squad once he gets back to regular playing time at Old Trafford.
Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
There seems to be a feeling that Ryan Shawcross has been completely ignored by England.
Many seem to have never forgiven the Stoke City centre back for the horrific challenge on Aaron Ramsey in February 2010 which left the current Wales captain with a broken leg.
Shawcross recently turned down the chance to play for Wales as he harbours ambitions of playing for England on the international stage.
He has been called up to the squad before but never been capped for the Three Lions.
He has been very consistent for a long time with the Potters in the Premier League and deserves a chance to represent his country.
Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur)
This choice is a long shot as Michael Dawson can’t even get into the Tottenham side.
He turned down a summer move to QPR and realistically, will need to move away from White Hart Lane if he wants a future in international football.
However, he does have international experience having played four times before for the Three Lions.
He is consistent, takes no risks at the back and when playing regularly is one of the best defenders around in the Premier League.
Dawson needs to leave Spurs if he wants to rekindle his international dreams.
Other but more unlikely possibilities
The news of Martin Kelly’s cruciate knee ligament injury yesterday which will rule him out for six months is a massive blow to Liverpool.
The 22-year-old has impressed at Anfield and went to the European Championships as an understudy following injuries to Kyle Walker and Cahill.
Kelly has impressed Hodgson and might have a chance of breaking through in the longer term, despite this latest injury setback.
Micah Richards has played centre back before but struggled at the Olympics and has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester City.
His career is in danger of stalling and refusing to be on the standby list for Euro 2012 hasn’t done his hopes any good whatsoever.
Of course, Rio Ferdinand could make a sensational return to international football, especially with Terry now out of the way.
Again, with so much that has happened and Rio’s passionate and sometimes, aggressive use of Twitter hasn’t left him with much symphony from the neutral fans.
Ferdinand’s time is over as an England player and it is definitely time to look to the future.
England will have options and I reckon they will cope without too much trouble but what they will miss is John Terry’s passion and leadership in the dressing room.
While San Marino will offer nothing, it will be interesting to see how Hodgson’s side cope in Warsaw next month, without one of their most talismanic leaders, who has now decided to hang up the shirt he wore with such pride for so long.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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