Jagielka can blossom to fill Terry’s shoes, insists Warnock

The Chelsea captain’s decision to quit the Three Lions set-up has left manager Roy Hodgson searching for a permanent replacement in the back four.

All manner of candidates have already been put forward including a possible recall for former Leeds United defender Rio Ferdinand but Warnock insists the right man for the job is a player he had in his team for several years at Sheffield United.

The Leeds manager will be reunited with Jagielka tonight when Everton visit Elland Road for a Capital One Cup third-round tie live on Sky.

Warnock said: “Jaggy is one of the top players now and, to me, the future of the country. Possibly with Terry not being around, he will be able to blossom even more.

“I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way to John. But he is such an imposing figure that you are not quite yourself when he is around.

“Now, Jaggy can blossom. He is cool, reads the game well and has improved an awful lot on the ball. That was a problem many years ago.

“Every aspect has improved, in particular his defensive heading. Also, his awareness is better.

“Jaggy didn’t really know what his best position was for a long time. He played everywhere – centre midfield, right-back, centre-half, even though he wasn’t a very big centre-half.

“Mind, probably the best game he had for me was in goal against Arsenal.”

Jagielka started his career at Bramall Lane and made 143 league appearances before moving to Goodison in the summer of 2007 following the Blades’ relegation from the Premier League.

Since then, he has matured into one of the top flight’s most consistent performers and become a regular in the England squad.

Due to Terry and Rio Ferdinand being the first-choice partnership of a succession of managers, his chances have been limited with this month’s World Cup qualifying double-header taking his number of caps to 14.

Warnock believes the progress his former defender has made in recent years should act as an inspiration to one of his current crop of youngsters at Elland Road.

He said: “I liken Jaggy to Tom Lees, at that stage in his career. They both have similar attributes. Tom has a few things to learn but so did Jaggy at that age. Like Tom, he was a quiet lad who didn’t say too much.

“But he has come out of his shell now and is playing for England. Terry calling it a day means Jaggy should get more opportunities now. He will blossom, as will Tom over the next few years.”

Terry came face to face with Anton Ferdinand yesterday at the start of the Chelsea captain’s disciplinary hearing over allegations he racially abused the QPR defender.

Ferdinand gave his testimony to the independent panel at the hearing at Wembley Stadium, with Terry in attendance to hear the evidence against him.

Ferdinand was at Wembley all morning, leaving just before midday, while Terry remained at the hearing until mid-afternoon. He is expected back today and the case could last most of the week.