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Chelsea captain John Terry has said that the club’s policy of giving players over the age of 30 a contract extension for a year has served as a motivational tool for him.
Terry scored in Sunday’s Capital One Cup finals to beat Tottenham and lift their first trophy of the season. The 34-year-old is now aiming to earn a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
He said, as he was quoted by ESPN, “Not having the four or five years, the roles reverse, the power is in the club's hands. I think that's definitely inspired me to prove people wrong. As I say, I am fighting for me and my family, to prove people wrong, and it doesn't come much bigger than that.
“I've kind of got my targets set on next year as well. That's my initial target. Two or three more years, I don't know.”
John Terry relishes Chelsea starting role
The Chelsea captain has been a regular member of Jose Mourinho’s first XI this season and has started every Premier League match. Terry welcomes the progression when compared to the frequently rotated role he was reduced to under former coach Rafa Benitez in 2013.
On his frequent omissions under the previous coach, Terry said, “That wasn't through choice. The manager's come in and sat me down and made it clear from the outset. If you work hard, you'll get extra years and you'll be in the side.
“If not, then players are fighting for their places. This is year roll-on, I am fighting for my future, for my family's future as well, and with that in mind, I just want to give it everything. I don't know how long I have got left but hopefully I have got a few years left in me. But if these are my last, I hope it will go out on a bang.”
No interest in MLS move
Terry also suggested he would not be following his ex-Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard to the MLS and said he couldn’t imagine himself playing for anyone else.
The former England captain said, “No, not for me. Playing at the top, there's a right time to go but certainly at the moment I am feeling great. It would be the wrong time to go for me. I think there does come a point in your career where you have to say it's time to go, it's time to move on, and people remember you that way.”
The Chelsea captain also praised the team spirit of Nemanja Matic, who missed Sunday’s final after being sent off in a Premier League match against Burnley.
Terry, who missed the 2012 UEFA Champions League final and the 2013 Europa League final due to suspension, said, “I've been there, I've experienced it before, it's not nice but he said to the lads to go and win it, not for him but for us as a group collectively.”
Chelsea must not lose focus in the Premier League
Chelsea’s focus would be now shifting to Wednesday’s Premier League game against West Ham as the London club will try and extend their lead at the top after Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool this week.
Terry emphasized the importance of Chelsea player’s not losing focus saying, “Not many of the lads knew about the result [at Anfield]. I think the manager wanted to keep it from us, but we are delighted to see City lose points. It's important now we go again on Wednesday with another tough one, a derby where we need to pick up three points.
“It's no celebrations, no nothing, back to work tomorrow and kick on for Wednesday.”
