Jamie Carragher believes John Terry can still be an important player for a Premier League club.

The 36-year-old defender on Monday announced that he will be leaving Chelsea after 22 years with the Stamford Bridge club.

Former Liverpool star Carragher suggests the timing of the decision is odd but that did not stop him from pouring plaudits on the former England centre-back.

"The timing seems a bit strange on the back of yesterday's game and result," Carragher said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

"But for me, he's the best centre-back in the Premier League era. An absolute legend and he'll certainly go down as Chelsea's greatest player. He's one of the greats of the Premier League era and number one for me.

"I think he's got a lot to offer as a player in the Premier League," the former Liverpool defender added. "You associate him as a one club man and I think it's always sad when a player of that stature for a club puts a shirt on for someone else.

"The fact he's come out early with this announcement I see him playing for someone else next season. Hopefully for us it's in the Premier League."