When Chelsea sign a new star, one usually-overlooked line some way down their big-money contract tends to read: 'The player's normal retirement age is 35 years.'
By that reckoning, John Terry – the star who seems to have always been there – is well into borrowed time already. On Wednesday, the Blues' 'Captain, Leader, Legend' turns 36.
Out of the side, with little prospect of getting back in regularly and with a contract that expires in a few months' time, once again this looks like the end of the road.
Chelsea have been here before, of course.