Lampard uncertain over Terry´s Chelsea future

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard admits there is no guarantee John Terry will snub Manchester City’s big-money bid to lure him away from Stamford Bridge.

City have already had two offers rejected for England captain Terry, but boss Mark Hughes is planning a new 35 million pounds bid for the defender this week.

Although Terry has spent his whole career at Chelsea and remains the club’s most talismanic figure, it is believed City’s offer to raise his wages to 200,000 pounds a week has forced the Blues skipper to consider his future.

A host of Chelsea players have made it clear they want Terry to stay but Lampard, who was close to agreeing to a reunion with former manager Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan last season and is one of Terry’s closest friends, is more concerned.

“I don’t know what he will do,” Lampard said in The Times on Monday.

“I’ve been in John’s position, but everyone at the club wants him to stay.

“I had an option to leave last year, 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.

“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.”

Lampard insists that Terry shouldn’t be condemned as a mercenary if he does accept City’s massive offer.

“People should respect his right to choose,” Lampard said. “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 John. 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.

“No one should doubt that John Terry wants to be successful. No one should doubt that John Terry is a winner. This is not just about the money and people shouldn’t try to make it that black and white.

“It’s understandable because it’s Manchester City who have come in, but it’s up to John what happens. All I can say is that I’m very proud each time I play with him and, as a club, you want to keep players like John Terry. It’s as simple as that.”