“Seven hundred games, what an achievement”, said Lampard. I think no one played the Champions League before. There was also an enormous banner that said “John Terry, Proper Chels”.
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He paused, apparently fighting back tears, before continuing: “Before I sign off I’d like to say thank you to Guus Hiddink”. Terry is the most successful skipper in Chelsea’s history and has won 14 major trophies with the club.
The ex-England captain has made 703 appearances for Chelsea in his career and has scored 40 league goals: A Premier League record for a defender.
Ranieri guided the Foxes to their first-ever league title this season, just a year after the club fought off relegation, making them only the sixth team to win the top-flight crown in the Premier League era.
Ranieri said: “He is a tough man, it is hard for him to change because he will make a little revolution there”.
“I feel as though I’m in great nick”. Thank you again. You’ve been unbelievable for me personally and for the team as well. “It’ll just be elsewhere”. The club insisted an offer may be forthcoming and it arrived this week.
The Leicester boss, who managed the defender in his formative years as a professional, said: “John Terry is like my son”.
A Chelsea spokesperson was quoted saying, “With it coming so late in the season, this is a big decision for John and his family”.
The Premier League champions lost only three league matches – last season they lost 19.
The Chelsea captain reiterated his desire to stay at the English club this week and he is confident that he has at least a couple more years in him. Conte will begin work as Chelsea head coach once Italy’s European Championship campaign has concluded.
However, Hiddink believes that the road to regain the glory won’t be easy for Chelsea, as other clubs, especially the ones which are not regarded as big-guns, have the finance to attract quality players and challenge for the title.
Hiddink recently saw a photograph of a teenage Terry and lauded his longevity. Roman Abramovich’s takeover of the club the previous summer heightened expectations, and Ranieri’s failure to deliver a piece of silverware meant he was dispensed of in favour of Jose Mourinho after four years at the helm.
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“It’s huge, 21 years, that’s why they become legends”.
