Chelsea growing increasingly confident that John Terry will stay at Stamford Bridge

18 July 2009 18:55
Such a move would entail Chelsea offering an improvement to Terry's £130,000-a-week contract, which still has three years left to run, and while there have been mixed messages from within the club as to whether a new offer will be made – some simply think Terry is being greedy – it appears that those in favour have gained the ascendancy in the past few days. Chelsea, struggling as they are to deliver the marquee name it is felt will kick-start their ambitions, cannot afford to lose their captain. However much Chelsea are keen to promote the negotiating skills of Kenyon, particularly as his own future has been under scrutiny, and the footballing nous of Frank Arnesen, the club's newly-labelled sporting director, such decisions come down to one man: Roman Abramovich. The Russian billionaire has, according to sources, veered between anger and conciliation over the courting of Terry by City and, undoubtedly, the club captain's deafening silence on the issue hasn't helped. Questions at Carlo Ancelotti's first pre-match press conference as Chelsea manager, at the Qwest Field stadium ahead of last night's meeting with the Seattle Sounders, were understandably dominated by Terry's future. It was an irritating distraction for Chelsea, who can hardly build their brand if the man Ancelotti has dubbed the club's "symbol" is considering his future. And with three games to go – after yesterday's match – before Chelsea return to England it's going to become embarrassing for them. Ancelotti stuck clearly to the line that Terry would remain at Chelsea. "I am sure 100 per cent," the Italian said. "He has a contract for three more years and this is the situation now." It was a continuation of the stance the club has taken throughout: Terry is not for sale and there is no need for a negotiation. So far City have offered close to £30 million for the 28-year-old, who would increase his salary to almost £200,000 a week, with bonuses on top, as well as receiving a seven-figure signing on fee. It is dizzying stuff and Terry has undoubtedly been tempted, although claims that he came close to handing in a transfer request have been denied, even if they have come from credible sources. City, meanwhile, are pondering their next move – a new bid could be submitted although the club have indicated that they will not be offering greatly more than is already on the table – while chief executive Garry Cook has discussed whether or not to make a direct request for permission to speak to the player. Chelsea had hoped their hard-line stance would kill the interest. But no declaration from Terry has been forthcoming. And so, inevitably, Chelsea's discussions with Terry have turned to money even if it is understood that the player himself has not demanded more. He has, however, asked for broad evidence of his club's continuing ambition. How Chelsea would love to deliver midfielder Franck Ribery as proof of that. But recent optimism that the France international can be the big-name signing has reduced. Chelsea are increasingly less confident and talk has turned more openly to Real Madrid's Wesley Sneijder, who is undoubtedly a fine player but maybe not the superstar that Terry and his team-mates appear to crave and Ancelotti had been promised. Chelsea are at a crossroads. Discussions over whether to break-up this team have, as with last year, been shelved even if there is a realisation that those in their late 20s and early 30s may have less than two seasons of top service to offer now. Chelsea are scouring for young talent while also tying up some players to new contracts. Florent Malouda has been the first to sign on this tour and will, it is hoped, be followed by Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel. But it is the signature of Terry that, right now, those at Chelsea crave the most.

Source: Telegraph