Jose Mourinho has guaranteed John Terry will be a Chelsea player next season and added that the captain's new one-year deal "will not be the last contract he signs" at Stamford Bridge.
Terry will maintain his ever-present record for Chelsea in the Premier League this season by leading out the leaders at West Ham tonight having claimed the man of the match award in the Capital One Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The 34-year-old is out of contract on July 1st but, with a new 12-month deal agreed in principle, Mourinho is convinced the centre-half will extend his stay into an 18th season and beyond.
"What I can guarantee is he will be a Chelsea player next season," said Mourinho, who also said Kurt Zouma has the qualities to be considered Terry's heir. "I know what my board tell me and what the player tells me, so no doubts he s going to get his contract. When I came back no one explained why his two previous seasons had not been his best. . . But, step by step, he has recovered his good feelings and is playing very well. This season even better than last."
Welcome surprise
Zouma’s progress this term has come as a welcome surprise. The young Frenchman cost €17 million from Saint Etienne a year ago and, having spent the second half of last term on loan at his former club, has made 17 appearances for Chelsea.
Mourinho expects the 20-year-old to earn a first senior cap for France in the friendlies against Brazil and Denmark later this month.
“He and John are different players and it will be difficult to find a John replica,” Mourinho said. “Zouma is 20 so, in three or four years’ time, he will be a player of great maturity. Probably leadership, too, to replace John. Zouma this season is playing more than I expected, more than he expected, more than everyone expected. So he’s adding to his experience levels.”
While Mourinho is confident Terry will prolong his stay, goalkeeper Petr Cech has 15 months to run on his deal but has grown frustrated at playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois who will return against West Ham.
Chelsea are keen to retain Cech next season but are aware he may now agitate for regular first-team football.
Guardian Service
