Chelsea positive on John Terry future but club won’t back down on policy of one-year deal

 
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24 January 2014

Chelsea remain confident John Terry will still be at the club next season, even though they will offer him only a one‑year deal.

The 33-year-old captain’s contract runs out in the summer and it has been reported he will leave because the club have refused to give him a three-year extension.

Chelsea have a strict rule regarding players over 30 in that they will be offered only 12-month deals. Terry has spent his entire career at the club but Standard Sport understands he will not be treated any differently.

Other club stalwarts Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were in the same situation last year before getting new contracts and are now waiting to see if they will get one for next season.

The decision on the trio’s future will be made by Jose Mourinho but the club remain relaxed about the situation. Lampard’s extension last term was announced in May after months of negotiations.

Terry has returned to his best form since Mourinho returned as manager in the summer, starting every Premier League game.

Chelsea boast the second best defensive record in the top flight and Mourinho made his admiration for Terry clear recently, saying: “His numbers say everything. He played every minute since the first minute against Hull in the League. Every minute of every match, good performances, stable performances, no injuries or suspensions. He’s having a great season.

“He’s doing more than enough to play in a big game this season, the biggest game. And he is captain. That shows everything about how he’s fighting to deserve a new contract. Everything comes naturally, without headlines, without any pressure. Naturally, things will happen.”

Chelsea gave the former England international a five-year contract worth around £165,000 a week in 2009 amid firm interest from Manchester City.

Galatasaray, where former team-mate Didier Drogba as well as Wesley Sneijder play, have been consistently linked with the centre-half this time.

They are believed to be prepared to offer a multi-year tax-free deal worth £100,000 a week.

But Terry has always stated he wants to stay at Chelsea for the rest of his career and there is hope on both sides he will still be at the club next term.

When pressed on the future of Terry, Lampard and Cole, Mourinho said: “The players want to stay if they are playing and feel useful, if they feel important in the team. The respect the club has for them is more than obvious. No pressure. We will do in the end the best thing for the club and the best thing for the players. It’s different to last season, when John and Frank weren’t playing. You could guess lots of things. At this moment it’s all very calm.”

Chelsea are expected to finalise the £11million deal for Basle winger Mohamed Salah today, which will trigger Juan Mata’s club-record £37m departure to Manchester United.

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