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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06: John Terry of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on October 6, 2012 in London, England.
Reports from the United Kingdom suggest that John Terry will not be offered a new contract when it expires at the end of next season because of the recent controversy caused by his Football Association ban for using racist language and concerns about his long-term fitness.
The Club are also reconsidering keeping him as Captain after several of the sponsors associated with the London outfit complained about his behaviour.
Terry is not the only Chelsea player to be kept in the dark over his future. Veteran England duo Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard might also be on their way out of Stamford Bridge.
34-year-old Lampard was left on the bench during Chelsea’s 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane yesterday and came on as a 90th minute substitute. His deal expires next summer and with no offer from Chelsea currently on the table, Lampard is free to talk to other clubs.
MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy have made their intentions clear over signing him, and with the new Soccer season starting in March, Lampard could enter talks with them in January, while Ashley Cole is reportedly being targeted by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, now being coached by ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
Board members are adamant over their decision not to offer Terry a new contract, and maintain that the only reason he was kept captain was because they feared a fans’ backlash in support of the man they call their ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’.
The clearing out at the Bridge is being seen by many as the ushering of a new, younger footballing force to replace the old guard. This comes after discussions with owner Roman Abramovich. In a statement which might shed further light on events, chairman Bruce Buck said:
“In the criminal court I sat near Anton Ferdinand’s father, mother, and a sibling,”
“I could see the effect it was having on them and it wasn’t good. As a club we understand what they have gone through and Chelsea FC would like to apologise to them.”
Terry recently retired from international football, stating that the situation between him and the FA was ‘untenable.’
