John Terry came 'really close' to breaking his promise of never playing against Chelsea

John Terry has revealed he came "really close" to joining a Premier League club but could not face playing against Chelsea.

The defender called time on a 19-year-old spell at Stamford Bridge in the summer to spark interest from a number of clubs before eventually opting to join Aston Villa in the Championship.

Swansea City were keen and Terry spoke to manager, and former Chelsea coach, Paul Clement but the prospect of facing the Blues was too much of an obstacle to overcome for him after previously insisting he would not join another top-flight club.

"I didn’t want to play in the Prem, that was a big thing for me, I didn’t want to play against Chelsea," Terry told Sky Sports' 'Monday Night Football'.

"But obviously I gave Clement the service because I felt I owed that to him with what he done for me, how he helped me growing up.

"But we met and having not wanted to play against Chelsea he pushed me really close as the way he dealt with me. But in the end I couldn't do it."

When asked if he would have to leave Aston Villa if they are promoted to the Premier League, Terry joked: "Maybe, maybe, we’ll see."

"First things first, I want to get us up, that was my big thing. We’re going okay at the minute, obviously a setback at the weekend losing to Derby [which they lost 2-0].

"But listen, so many games and they come thick and fast in the Championship as well."