John Terry's claim about his England position is nonsense - Chelsea defender was the author of his own downfall Outside of Stamford Bridge Terry is not a popular figure within football nor with the public generally. He embodies too much of the arrogance and ego associated with modern football so there will be plenty of people clinking glasses of schadenfreude. For all the off-field controversy, Terry's 78 caps with England should be remembered for his ceaseless commitment, for his lack of self-awareness. Terry is a proud, patriotic individual and this decision to step down will have been a painful one for him to take. Along with Steven Gerrard, Terry was England's best player at Euro 2012. He played through the pain barrier, even admitting on one England trip that his doctors had warned him he could end up in a wheelchair if he kept putting pressure on his back. Terry might have been overdramatic but his body undoubtedly bore the scars of constant sporting combat. So the final memory will be of him leaving the field prematurely in Chisinau, leaving England to finish the game with Moldova with 10 men because he had insisted on playing on despite Hodgson asking him whether he was injured. Typical Terry, lion-hearted but risking damage to the cause. England still missed him in the following World Cup qualifying draw against Ukraine at Wembley. The national team will survive without him though. His Chelsea club-mate Gary Cahill has shown he can compete at the highest level for club and county. Cahill is a champion of Europe, Joleon Lescott is a champion of England, Phil Jagielka has improved. Rio Ferdinand deserves a recall, although Hodgson would have to consume humble pie for that to happen. Steven Caulker is maturing well at Tottenham and is worth a long-term audition. As Hodgson juggles his defensive options for next month's qualifiers against San Marino and Poland Terry will still view himself as the king in exile. Whatever transpires with his Fa charge this week Terry will continue to be worshipped at the Bridge but cat call and brick bats will follow him elsewhere. Terry still has a huge amount of work to do to rehabilitate his image