Why England Must Resist a 2014 World Cup Recall for Chelsea Defender John Terry

England manager Roy Hodgson was adamant.

“We've moved on from that. John retired,” he told the gathered media in his post-match press conference, reported by The Independent.

It was Tuesday evening, and the Three Lions had just suffered a 1-0 defeat to rivals Germany—their second loss in a week at Wembley after losing to Chile only days earlier.

Hodgson wasn’t getting ready to hit the panic button when quizzed as to whether he may be asking John Terry out of international retirement. It was quite the contrary.

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“We've qualified [for the World Cup] with our 10 matches and 10 matches with [Gary] Cahill and [Phil] Jagielka and we've seen a very good performance from Chris Smalling tonight."

"I think it's important that we continue along those lines, continue looking forward and that we don't start panicking and looking backwards every time we have a reverse.”

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His critics will say Hodgson has gotten many things wrong during his first 18 months in charge of England after his team huffed and puffed their way to World Cup qualification in a manageable group. But should he maintain his policy where the Chelsea captain is concerned, few will have reason to criticize.

He may be rediscovering his form of old now that Jose Mourinho is back at Stamford Bridge, but Terry’s had his time as an international player.

Hodgson hinted at showing loyalty to the players who helped England make it to Brazil next summer, but aside from that, Terry doesn’t warrant a place in this England team.

He’s the “Captain. Leader. Legend.” at Stamford Bridge, but things are much different when it comes to his country.

Terry should have captained England to the 2010 World Cup, but through his own folly, he blew it. He should have captained England at Euro 2012, but he blew it that time as well.

First, it was a rumored affair with a former teammate’s ex-partner. He followed it up two years later when accused of a racial slur against Anton Ferdinand. Terry lost the England captaincy as result on each occasion.

From being one of the finest players of his generation, his legacy outside of Stamford Bridge will be one judged more for the scandals he has created than the trophies he lifted.

It’s a crying shame, but the time to make amends has long since passed.

Terry had his England chance. Now, it’s time for someone else.

England do not need him and with doubts frequently being raised about his fitness, Terry doesn’t exactly need the Three Lions, either. A summer off with a full preseason will serve him well for his club, while England can continue to build for the future.

Indeed, that’s what it’s all about for Hodgson right now. As painful as it will be for English fans to admit, participating in Brazil is merely about making up the numbers.

England will not be traveling to South America thinking they can win the World Cup. Hodgson and The FA are there as an exercise in rebuilding the nation’s football team, blooding the stars who will feature in Russia four years later.

So why bring back Terry when Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and other players will benefit in the long term?

For too long English football has been shortsighted, planning for tomorrow rather than next week.

In dismissing a return for Terry, Hodgson appears to be finally changing that ethos, and he’s right when he suggests fans and the media alike need a sense of perspective.

“We don’t start panicking and looking backwards every time we have a reverse,” he said.

His team’s defeats against Chile and Germany will frustrate, yet they were merely friendlies and part of his continued education in the England hot seat.

The defeats prove very little. Although, in some ways, Hodgson would have learned more then had England been victorious.

What he has learned for certain is that the days of Terry and England are long gone. Bring him back now and England’s transition from their “Golden Era” to the new generation will only prove more drawn out and painful.

Stick to your guns, Roy.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2013-14 season. Follow him on Twitter here @garryhayes