John Terry is approaching end of his career but Chelsea captain will be determined to regain starting place, insists Rio Ferdinand
- Chelsea captain John Terry started on the bench against Arsenal
- Rio Ferdinand admits older players have to accept not starting every game
- Former England team-mate insists Terry will be determined to regain place
- Chelsea claimed a 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime
John Terry may be nearing the end of his Chelsea career but will be determined to regain his place in the starting XI, according to former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
The Blues captain, who turns 35 in December, began Saturday's 2-0 victory against Arsenal on the bench. It is the first time he has not been selected to start a Premier League match by Jose Mourinho when fit to play.
However, despite being in the twilight of his career, former England team-mate Ferdinand believes Terry will be desperate to return to the starting line-up and prove he can still play a major role.
Chelsea captain John Terry began Saturday's match against Arsenal on the substitute's bench
It is the first time Terry has not been selected to start a Premier League match by Jose Mourinho when fit
Rio Ferdinand insists Terry will be determined to regain his place in the team despite his advancing years
Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand said of Terry: 'What you’ve got to remember is he’s 34 years old. He's had a big, long career. A successful career. There are times when you’ve just got to accept it (getting older and not starting).
'I don’t think he'll be sat there thinking: "This the end for me".
'He's determined. I know what he's like, I've been in changing rooms with him for years, he'll want to turn this around I'm sure and he’ll be waiting for someone to make a mistake to get a chance again.'
A speedy centre back during his 19-year playing career, Ferdinand revealed former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson informed him he would have to adapt as he got older but feels Terry can not change too much as his game has never been about pace.
'You have to look at yourself,' said Ferdinand. 'Sir Alex Ferguson said you've got to change your game. Terry's game has never been about a pace though; he reads the game, he's a solid defender.'
Having conceded the most goals in the Premier League - 12 goals in their opening five fixtures - Mourinho has made several changes to his back-line this season with Kurt Zouma, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic starting against the Gunners.
Though Chelsea's defence has struggled, Ferdinand believes it is the form of midfielder Nemanja Matic, playing in front of the back four, which has proved most problematic.
'Chelsea have always been a solid unit,' said Ferdinand. 'The protection in front of the back four has always been very good; you had Claude Makelele and Matic last season but this year Matic has lacked intensity, looked jaded and that reflects on the defence.
When on form, Matic is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and Ferdinand admitted those players are a dream to share a pitch with as a defender.
'Makelele, Matic, they are players you'd love to play with,' he said. 'They would stop, 50, 60 per cent of balls coming into the area meaning you don't have to defend. You can stay in your slot and defend you're area.'
Ferdinand believes the form of defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic has had an impact on Chelsea's defence
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