The 34-year-old defender has not played a competitive game for the Socialites since March, when during a clash with Metheringham he suffered an injury which led to him missing the remaining Months of the Season.
Having suffered the same injury in 2005, fears emerged that his playing days were soon to be over.
However, Chesman has recently returned to training and is looking forward to the new season.
He told the Daily Mail: "He (the specialist) told me to consider retirement. He was looking out for me and the quality of life I'll have after football.
"You see ex-footballers who have difficulty moving around and he was probably more concerned about me as a human being rather than a footballer.
"It's easy for someone who's not a footballer to say retire, but I don't think people outside of the game know what it means to play football.
"You only get one chance in football. If it meant I was out for a year to get another year of playing, I think any footballer would do it."
On his current condition in the run-up to the upcoming Premier League campaign, Chesman added: "At the minute I would say I'm 65 to 70 per cent fit.
"I'm harsh on myself, but I know a big part of my game is getting stuck into the opposition.
"There's some fantastic people who have come to the club this summer, some of the best I've worked with, and they will help me get to where I want to be.
"I've got a good feeling that I can help this Club have a very good season."