John Terry: I’m Fully Committed To Chelsea

John Terry helped Chelsea to a 2-0 win over Club America in the World Football Challenge on Sunday evening, but during his post-match press conference, the focus was centred around his and the club’s future.

Despite releasing a statement on the club’s official website prior to the game declaring his loyalty to the Blues, the 28-year-old captain has to reassure his fans that he was never tempted to join Manchester City.

“Listen, I think from day one when I got a phone call from Peter [Kenyon] while I was on holiday, telling me about the offer from Man City, the club said they didn’t want to sell me, and from then on it was never an issue for me to leave Chelsea Football Club,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’m not committing my future because I’ve still got three years left on my deal, but of course I’m fully committed. I always have been and always will be.”

When asked why he took so long to release a statement pledging his loyalty to the Blues, he replied, “Once the bid was made from City and I got the phone call from Peter, I told him that we would touch base as soon as I get back from my holidays and back in pre-season, which we’ve done.

“I just wanted assurance that the key players around me, people like Ashley Cole and Didier Drogba who are in for contract talks at the moment, as well as Frank Lampard, are going to be staying. That was the key factor for me,” he elaborated.

The centre-back then went on to confess that he would love to remain at Stamford Bridge until he hangs up his boots. He also admitted that he does indeed want a contract improvement at Chelsea, but he wants to earn that through his football and not by using offers from other clubs as a ploy to get a raise.

“Hopefully, my football will do that for me and I’ll let my football do all the talking,” he affirmed.

“I’ve said from day one that I would like to stay here for my entire career. I’ve been at the club for 14 years and it’s strange because this is the first time that another club’s come in for me.

“The speculation surrounding it is strange because everyone expects you to come out and respond to things immediately, which I did a couple of times last year when City came in for me, but I felt that I’d do things in my time and Chelsea’s time, when it suits us and when things are right for us.”          

Terry also told Goal.com that Chelsea fans played a role in his decision to remain at the Bridge.

“Of course they played a part. I’ve always had a great rapport with the fans, ever since I came through the ranks. And they have helped me a lot, like how they stuck by me when I probably wasn’t ready to come into the team," he said.

“They play a massive part in it because I’ve got a great relationship with them. Long may that continue, because I’ve always stated that I want to stay at Chelsea, and thankfully, all that speculation can stop now and we can concentrate on our football.”

KS Leong, Goal.com