Terry scotches 'ludicrous' transfer request speculation
Captain John Terry has dismissed suggestions that he was ready to
hand in a transfer request as 'ludicrous' and insists he is ready
to sort out a new long-term contract with Chelsea.
Terry's future at the club came under increasing speculation in the
build-up to the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley, which
Chelsea won 1-0 thanks to Didier Drogba's 33rd goal of the season
five minutes from the end of extra-time.
Terry was understood to have rejected Chelsea's latest offer and,
according to reports, was on the verge of handing in a transfer
request.
But the victorious Chelsea skipper declared: 'That's ludicrous. I
would never do that.
'Now the season is over for Chelsea, I'd like to think things are
going to get sorted out and I'm hopeful we will be in talks.
'I didn't want to be in talks in the build-up to the FA Cup final
and the build-up to what could have been us possibly retaining the
Premiership.
'I told Chelsea to wait and we would go again in the summer. It was
not right to go into important games with things on your mind and
being unhappy.
'Hopefully it will be resolved as soon as possible really.'
Terry's remarks over talks were echoed by chief executive Peter
Kenyon who said the club's message to both Terry and vice-captain
Frank Lampard had always been positive.
Lampard, also the subject of difficult negotiations over a new
long-term deal, insisted he wanted to remain at the club for life
after helping the club lift the FA Cup yesterday, and his comments
had also been noted by Kenyon.
Kenyon said: 'We are talking about major contracts with many issues
surrounding them.
'Both parties want this to happen, and therefore you have got to
believe this will happen.
'The key message from Chelsea to Frank has always been `we want you
to stay', and to be fair to Frank his has always been 'I want to
stay', so that is a great position to be in.
'I think it would be settled in the near future. Frank has said he
wants it sorting before next season, and we want it sorting before
next season.
'For all parties, it would be the sooner the better.'
Meanwhile, Terry revealed how match-winner Drogba had inspired
Chelsea with a pre-match speech seconds before kick-off when he
called all the players into a huddle in the middle of their own
half.
Terry declared: 'Didier called everyone together and gave a great
speech.
'He said `I'm nervous, I know everyone is nervous, but one thing is
for sure, I am going to fight, give everything', and he looked
every player in the eye.
'It touched quite a lot of people. I didn't know he was going to do
it, he just called everyone together and when he said he was going
to fight no matter what and work so hard for the other players, it
was special.
'He has been unbelievable, not only on the pitch but off it as
well.'
Drogba's winner sealed Chelsea's second cup success of the season
and earned coach Jose Mourinho a clean sweep of domestic trophies
following his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2004.
Not surprisingly, Terry could not hide his pride at becoming the
first captain to lift the FA Cup at the new Wembley, as well as
gaining revenge on United for their title victory.
Terry added: 'I felt really proud walking up the steps, and getting
out on the last line of the walkway was really special.
'To lift the cup was an amazing feeling. I am just so proud and
quite emotional.
'With what has happened this season with the Champions League and
the Barclays Premiership as well, winning the cup on the last day
of the season means we are going away really happy. I am really
pleased with that.
'I did feel quite tired when we were celebrating on the pitch but
you manage to get your energy from somewhere.
'On an occasional like that, in a stadium like that, it comes from
deep inside and that's what we have shown all year, not just me but
everyone.
'Chelsea were last team to win it at the old Wembley and now we've
been the first at the new stadium to win it - that is special in
its own right.
'Maybe a lot of people and the fans wouldn't have accepted us just
winning the Carling Cup this season. That's why it was very
important to win the trophy.
'Even though United won the Barclays Premiership three weeks ago,
we go away the happiest.'