The former England captain has announced that he is set to leave Chelsea at the end of the season, but he has been hailed by his Manchester United counterpart

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling believes John Terry is one of the best role models any aspiring centre-back can have.

Terry, 35, has been at Chelsea for his entire 18-year professional playing career - besides a short loan spell at Nottingham Forest - but has announced that he is set to leave the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the season, with talks over an extension reaching an impasse.

However, as United prepare to face Terry and Chelsea on Sunday, Smalling has hailed the ex-England captain as one of the best defenders in the business.

"Anyone who wants to be a centre-half would have to say that John Terry is a role model," the 26-year-old told The Daily Mirror .

"Every centre-half in the game would agree with that. It is the way he leads the team and the way he reads the game.

"John has never had blistering pace, but he didn’t need it because he’s always in the right place for every situation.

"He also gets the other players to work around him and that has enabled him to have such a great career and, technically, he is also very good. He is excellent with both feet and that makes a massive difference."

And, despite Terry's declaration to the contrary, Smalling says he would be surprised if the 35-year-old departed Stamford Bridge.

"I was surprised to hear about John. He has said it isn’t the end for him, but he has been terrific for Chelsea," he added.

"John is a class performer. He has played all season and, while Chelsea’s results haven’t been great, I have no doubt that he’s definitely got more years in the locker.

"I would put him right up there with the very best. I don’t know who would be one and two in the list, but John would have to be right up at the top."

- Goal