Should John Terry be given a contract extension at Chelsea?

Chelsea captain John Terry is hopeful of earning a new contract with the Blues

Chelsea captain John Terry has revealed that he is now hopeful of signing a contract extension at Stamford Bridge, despite a few months ago claiming that he was set to leave the club in the summer, when his contract expires.

Terry has been struggling with a hamstring injury of late, but could return for the Blues this weekend as his team host Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

Hopeful on a contract extension

Talking about his contract situation, Terry told Sky Sports HQ: “I am still very hopeful,”

“I have been there 21 years and I will never give up until if finally happens. But who knows?

“I have still got a lot to give – whether that is here or somewhere else – that is for sure.”

Whether there is something to those hopes is unknown, as it has not yet been revealed if the club have entered contract negotiations with their captain yet, or whether the club have decided to keep their options open.

Terry seemed resigned to leave Stamford Bridge this summer just a few months ago, so I am not sure what has changed to give him hope of remaining with the Blues.

John Terry is a dying breed

Love him or loathe him John Terry is a Chelsea hero and legend. The former-England captain has been at the club for the most successful period in the clubs history and been a key player at the heart of the Blues defence in the last decade and a half.

At 35-years-old he is part of a dying breed of one-club players. Terry did have a loan spell at Huddersfield earlier in his club, but I doubt many will quibble about that.

There are very few players that become so synonymous with one club and there is unlikely to be many more in the future, due to the fact that players do not tend to stay with clubs for long periods any more.

He is what Steven Gerrard was to Liverpool, or Ryan Giggs was to Manchester United. They are players that will go down as club legends and talked about well into the future.

Terry is in the same category, when it comes to loyal players. John Terry has been in a similar position, which was prior to Jose Mourinho’s return to the club. Terry was frozen out of the team and looked to be heading for the exit.

However, Mourinho’s second coming revived Terry’s career with the Blues and he started to rediscover the form of his early career. He was once again a key player for the Blues.

This season the Blues have endured a difficult campaign in the English top-flight. Chelsea’s form has improved in recent months and are now in the top half of the table. Following their disastrous start to the campaign, they are now considered outsiders for a top-four spot this season at odds of 14/1.

Big changes this summer at Stamford Bridge

With a new boss set to be appointed this summer there is likely to be big changes in playing personnel at the club. Terry’s future will depend on whether the new boss at the Bridge believes that the 35-year-old still has something to offer the team.

The Chelsea hierarchy are obviously not keen on offering Terry a deal until they have chosen and spoken to the new boss. Italy boss Antonio Conte is being heavily linked with the soon to be vacant Chelsea hot seat.

Current incumbent Guus Hiddink is a Terry fan, but the veteran Dutch boss was always just keeping the managers seat warm for a permanent boss to arrive this summer. Doubts about the manager’s future have meant doubts over Terry’s future.

Terry is a big character and figure at Chelsea. Maybe a new boss would not want an influence and character of his stature in the dressing room, if he is not going to be a key player.

At 35-years-old John Terry is obviously coming to the end of his career, but it would strange for the former-England captain not to be lining up for Chelsea next season. However, Terry has been written-off on a number of occasions and I would not bet against Terry lining up in Chelsea blue next season.

Should John Terry be given a contract extension at Chelsea?