The Wembley Stadium was awfully quiet on Tuesday night once the referee blew the final whistle, as the fans made their way out while engulfed by uncertainty about their country’s chances in Brazil next year. England had just lost 1-0 to Germany, but what made it all the more worse was that nearly the entire first-team of the Three Lions could not come out on top against a relatively new look German side, who lacked several of their key players.

Also, what added salt to their wounds was the fact that this was their second defeat in two games at Wembley, the first one coming against Chile in the 2-0 loss only a few days ago. One problem which has been identified by several for England’s current state is their defense. Their first-choice central defenders include Everton’s Phil Jagielka who just won his first international cap not so long ago, and Gary Cahill who is still a decent bet to be the first choice alongside Jagielka.

They are lacking that commanding presence at the back, and have lacked that ever since the retirement of Chelsea’s John Terry. The Blues skipper was embroiled in a racism row against Anton Ferdinand which eventually saw him cut short his international career as he announced his retirement from national duties.

Lack of international commitments has seemed to have worked wonders for his Chelsea career. Terry, now 32, is playing some his best football this year. That is being credited down to the return of Jose Mourinho at the helm, but there is no denying that he is the stand out man who is leading Chelsea from the very front, apart from the well documented emergence of Oscar this season.

England desperately need someone who can marshal the defense, barking out orders while maintaining the calm and poise at the back, and Terry is as good a chief as one can get. Though what is tricky at this point of time is whether Hodgson will approach him to reconsider coming out of retirement and rallying his troops, possibly all the way to glory, come next summer.