Ake: Terry’s departure a massive loss for Chelsea

Chelsea starlet Nathan Ake is adamant outgoing club captain John Terry will be a massive loss for everyone at Stamford Bridge, even if the former England centre-back is no longer at the peak of his powers.

Terry is set to depart the Blues in a blaze of glory on Sunday – with Chelsea taking on Sunderland and the 36-year-old almost certain to be given the opportunity to lead out the Premier League champions one last time in the dead rubber.

Despite finding himself on the sidelines for most of this season under Antonio Conte, Terry has been given more minutes in recent weeks and started his first league clash since September in a 4-3 victory over Watford on Monday evening.

And while his defensive blunder cost Chelsea a goal against the Hornets, Ake – who was recalled by Conte in January after a successful loan spell with Bournemouth – insists Terry remains a figurehead at the club and will be impossible to replace.

“He’s always been there, helping and talking, since I was 17 and I first came into the team under Rafael Benitez,” he said.

“He’s always been there for me, on and off the pitch. He tries to help, that’s just the way he is. He plays his own game but also looks out for others as well, so it was really nice to play with him.

“[From him I’ve learned] positioning and also just his character. The way he trains every day is magnificent. He makes sure you always give 100 per cent, even if you are a little bit tired.

“He keeps going and you see the way he puts tackles in and think you need to do that as well, that’s the type of character he is.

“He’s such a big legend at the club and he will be a really big miss.”