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Chelsea expect England captain John Terry to release a statement pledging his future to the club in the next few days.
So far, the player has chosen to say nothing about where he will be playing next season but his silence over Manchester City's two bids to sign him has led to further speculation that he might be tempted by a move to Eastlands.
Sources inside Stamford Bridge insist relations between club and player have not deterioriated during the City saga and say he is taking an active part in their pre-season tour to the USA as usual.
The club are also reported to be considering rewarding Terry's loyalty by raising his wages to £150,000 a week in a further attempt to persuade him to snub City who are likely to up their current bid for the player from £30m to £40m.
City boss Mark Hughes has spoken about his desire to sign the 28-year-old and comments suggesting the defender needs a new challenge have angered Chelsea.
The club have considered reporting Hughes to the Premier League for what could be interpreted as an illegal approach although no official complaint has yet been made.
Terry's friend Frank Lampard, who was tempted to join Inter Milan last summer only to sign a new five-year deal to stay at Chelsea, insists he doesn't blame his team-mate if he feels tempted by City's offer.
He said: “I had an option to leave last summer, to go with a manager who I love, but it came at a time in my life that, maybe, just wasn't right.
“But the situation made me think an awful lot. It wasn't an easy decision, either, and I don't think people should criticise John. I don't know what he will do, but everyone at the club wants him to stay. The fact is you can never take away what he's done for Chelsea. He'll always be a legend. I hope and I'm confident that, whatever happens, he will continue to be considered a legend here.
“People should respect his right to choose. When you're a successful player this kind of thing is going to happen and then you have to make a decision. John's a very honourable man and it doesn't come down to money and things like that. I know he'll be thinking about what's the right thing to do as a player and, in the longer term, for his career.”
Terry didn't let the speculation over his position affect him in the club's first game of their USA tour against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, where goals from Daniel Sturridge and Lampard secured a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Reader views (9)
Another day goes by without 'Mr Chelsea' (yeah, right) making a public statement which would stop all the chitchat.
JT will look good in blue, light blue that is!
- Undercover Elephant, Dole Farm, Crays Hill, Essex, 21/07/2009 15:43
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I think JT is just trying to force RA to buy a 'Big' player to help Chelsea (and himself) win the PL and CL. Basically, he wants to see the squad improved and is trying to hold RA to ransom and calling RA's bluff. CFC need to show their ambition to him before he decides to stay or go, and I don't blame him. CFC definitely need a new Robben style player who makes the difference in a game (i.e Ribbery). It was supposed to be Robinho but RA bottled it and that had a big effect on last season. Chelsea fans should be glad that JT is making RA sweat...
- S Robertson,, London, 21/07/2009 12:28
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I love the comments here! Ageing? Sturridge, Mikel, Kalou, Di Santo, Mancienne? Even Cech is only 28, barely near his best for a keeper. And a second tier club? prior to Roman's arrival we had in the previous 10 years, won 2 and lost 2 FA Cups, a League Cup, A Cup Winner's Cup (plus another semi) a Super Cup, never finished outside the top 11 and had qualified for the Champ League twice. Unlike Everton, Spurs, Newcastle, Citeh or Villa. I for one don't expect Terry to dignify press speculation with any comments which would inevitably be twisted whicever way the journalist wants. Facts: Citeh bid, Chelsea turned it down and said not for sale. end of.
- Peter Bench, London, 21/07/2009 12:17
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Am I the only one who really can't give a monkey's any more whether he stays or goes? This story has run and run and run ... etc
- Paul, London, 21/07/2009 08:43
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For Arsenal fans this is a no-lose riot of fun.
Scenario One:
So-called 'Mr Chelsea' leaves for the loot and we can sing 'where's your captain gone' etc, etc.
Scenario Two:
He stays and his wages and that of the other main players are forced up by 25% meaning even less money for an ageing side to be strengthened with transfers.
Chelsea aren't a team really, more a soulless chequebook Xl.
- Undercover Elephant, Crays Hill, Essex, 20/07/2009 17:48
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Let's face it, before Abromavich purchased Chelsea it was a solid second tier club that was going nowhere without money. It had won one league title in 100 years and had never won a European title. I can't see the difference between it and Man City. Those Chelsea fans that look down their noses at Man City for trying to buy sucess don't have a good memory, but the rest of us do. Terry is not someone I would regard as having much character (he parks his Bentley in handicapped spots for goodness sake) so let's not be surprised by his silence. He knows that his career is not going to run until he is 35. He will be done in the next three years, maybe, so he is looking to pick someone's pocket for as much as he can. I personally don't think he is worth very much but I can see why Chelsea wants to keep him. He is worth more to Chelsea than he is to Man City but if Man City is looking to throw money away, it's hard to fault Terry.
- Kb, London, 20/07/2009 17:17
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Spot on Charlie. Terry's silence speaks volumes about the sort of man he is. The supposed captain of our country acting with the usual decorum and honesty.
I wonder, should he move, if Chelsea fans will afford him the sort of loving return they expect West Ham to afford Terry and Lampard next season.
- Stu, Beckton, 20/07/2009 16:51
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John is a Londoner and has his home,family and friends in the south east.He is now 28 and his best hope of realising his football ambition (Champs League)lies with his present club,as Man City realistically are at least two seasons away from being real contenders.People claim it's not about money,what on earth is it about then, the Manchester rain?
- Alan, Leatherhead UK, 20/07/2009 16:27
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And there speaketh the next captain of Chelsea - but sorry, Frank, I disagree. There's nothing "honourable" about the apparent "symbol" of the Club selfishly shunning interviews and putting up a "wall of silence", both of which are clearly undermining the arrival of the new Manager and disrupting pre-season planning.
John Terry needs to come clean now, in fairness to, and in the interests of, the Club he supposedly "loves" and only five months ago was going to stay with "forever".
This whole thing is being played out like some comic tragedy, with JT in the role of a timorous villain.
- Charlie, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire, 20/07/2009 14:22
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