I sometimes wonder whether John Terry's bravery and his desire and determination to play for club and country will see one of the finest defenders of his generation fail to achieve his full potential.

The Chelsea and England captain played throughout the majority of the 2004/05 season with an injured foot that required an operation the moment the title was sealed at Bolton. Last season he played with back and calf problems, and then, despite adding a terrible gash to his foot courtesy of a Wayne Rooney foul, he went to the World Cup with England.

This season, JT could deny the back and calf injuries no longer and settled for having the inevitable operation. He came back and got a terrible ankle injury, only to play a few days later and be knocked spark out – again diving bravely for the cause.

Terry has probably played something like 170 games in three seasons, many of them whilst carrying an injury. Never the quickest, I think his commitment to his teams has cost him a yard, and he is now less mobile. Anyone who has been watching him closely, as I have over the past five or six seasons, will know that he has also lost the ability to 'spring' when going for headers. His performance against West Ham was just about his worst in a blue shirt, and he is obviously unfit.

Because of his will to win, his desire for Chelsea and England to succeed, JT will play through it all. But while he will give his utmost, he must know better than anyone that he has lost a little something from his overall game. My concern is that if he continues playing without getting the necessary treatment and rest, he will never become the player we all know he is capable of being.

JT is a Chelsea legend and the England captain, and he's got another six or seven years at the top if he takes better care of himself. Knowing the man he is, he won't. And I fear that side of him could shorten his career.

Is John Terry putting his career at risk? Let Sportingo have your views.