Kurt Zouma admits that he is surprised at Chelsea's decision not to renew John Terry's contract at the end of the season.
Terry announced the shock news after the Blues' 5-1 FA Cup victory over MK Dons on Sunday and also went on to confirm his intention to continue playing professionally abroad at the end of the current campaign.
The 35 year-old is the most decorated captain in Chelsea's history, having led the club to four Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, one Champions League title and a Europa League title during his time at the club.
And Zouma believes his defensive partner is still good enough to play at the top level of English football, despite Chelsea's poor form this season.
"I am very surprised - I didn't know. Now we have to see what John wants to do because I think he can play for another one or two years," Zouma told the Evening Standard.
"This feels like when we lost Didier [Drogba] last summer. [Terry] is a huge personality at Chelsea. When you lose these kind of players, you have to replace them but I don't know how John can be replaced. We have to think about it.
"For me he can play many more times. He is still at a top level. He has been playing very well since I arrived at Chelsea. He can continue for sure.
"His performances have been consistent. Since I have been at the club, I haven't seen him play badly. That's the truth. He was always helping everybody.
"He has been a massive support to me. When I started my first games last year he was always talking to me. He is a legend and a very good leader. I have learnt a lot from him. I don't know what to say, I am very surprised."
Terry has spent 22 years at Chelsea and has made 696 appearances for the London club - making him the third on the all-time appearance list at Stamford Bridge.
The former England international is expected to move abroad at the end of the season after saying he would not want to play for another Premier League club.
"It's not going to be a fairytale ending, I'm not going to retire at Chelsea," said the defender.
"It's going to be elsewhere, which it took me a couple of days to get over. But my performance isn't going to change - the way I train, what I give for the club.
"I want to give everything and finish on a high, on 100 per cent good terms with the club. I couldn't play for another Premier League club, so it will be elsewhere for sure."
