John Terry’s distinguished Chelsea career is in danger of ending with a whimper.

Granted, there is a strong possibility he will add to his 14 major trophies as Chelsea chase another domestic Double but, should he get his hands on silverware one last time in a blue shirt, it will be as a member of the supporting cast rather than as one of the main protagonists.

Chelsea left it very late to hand their captain a 12-month extension last season but few, perhaps not even Terry himself, expect there to be a repeat. The centre-half was 36 last month, so it was always going to be a hard task to earn another deal.

People were obviously going to question and analyse whether his form merited another contract.

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What Terry couldn’t have imagined, though, was that misfortune would have such a role to play.

Yesterday’s sending off for a professional foul on Lee Angol was just the latest in a season of setbacks.

The focus is on the clumsy nature of Terry’s challenge and his lack of pace being exposed but, crucially, Kurt Zouma failed to cut out the pass that set Angol free, while Terry slipped as he went to make the tackle.

Contact was minimal, which is why Chelsea and Terry are considering appealing Kevin Friend’s decision.

It is very unlikely Chelsea will succeed with an appeal and Terry will be suspended for the trip to Leicester on Saturday, watching from the sidelines yet again.

When the season started under new coach Antonio Conte, the Italian, like so many of his predecessors over the last 19 years, picked Terry in central defence.

Chelsea were conceding goals at the start but Terry’s performances were not the cause.

His campaign took a turn for the worse from the moment he twisted his ankle in the 2-2 draw against Swansea in September.

It was while he was sidelined that Conte switched to the 3-4-3 formation, with Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill his preferred defenders.

By the time the former England international returned to fitness, Chelsea had started their 13-game winning run in the Premier League and the coach did not want to change the side.

Terry was given an opportunity to impress in the middle of the back three for the EFL Cup tie at West Ham but looked rusty and uncomfortable in the new position during a 2-1 defeat.

Then his season became a real pain in the butt, as he was ruled out with a tear in his glute muscle.

Yesterday was his first outing since then and it ended prematurely. To make matters worse, competition for places at the back has increased with Zouma playing the full 90 minutes and showing he is fully fit again after 11 months out with a knee injury.

The club are considering signing a centre-half this month and if they fail, it will be one of their main priorities for the summer.

While he was not prepared to accept the red card last night, Terry does appear to be accepting his diminished role. That is not to say he has become a shrinking violet. Terry has been hugely influential during Chelsea’s surge to the top of the table by cajoling and encouraging his team-mates. He even claimed recently: “In the nicest way, I hope I don’t get back into the team, because it means we are carrying on winning football matches.”

Without being prompted, Conte has kept talking about the significant role Terry is playing behind the scenes.

Zouma concurs, saying: “John is the captain and an amazing one at that. He has given me advice on everything, like something to do with the striker or about tactics.”

Ultimately, Terry’s dismissal did not prove costly. A brace from Pedro, plus strikes from Michy Batshuayi and Willian showed the gulf in class.

That keeps the possibility of a dream farewell in the FA Cup Final at Wembley on May 27 alive.

But as things stand, Terry will be watching rather than playing.

London Football! Find out who Chelsea get in the FA Cup fourth round draw on Standard Sport, from 7:10pm.