Chelsea ‘confident’ of new deal with John Terry

CHELSEA are confident veteran defender John Terry will “amicably” agree a new contract in the near future, assistant coach Steve Holland said Friday.

Chelsea says it is confident of announcing a new deal with John Terry very soon.

CHELSEA are confident veteran defender John Terry will “amicably” agree a new contract in the near future, assistant coach Steve Holland said Friday.

Former England centre-back Terry has reportedly been offered a new contract by the west London club but on half his current salary.

However, Holland denied any talk of a tense atmosphere between the club and their 33-year-old stalwart, while suggesting two more senior players in England duo Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were both on the brink of signing new deals as well.

“John has had an outstanding season; we have the best defensive record in the Premier League and he’s played in almost all of that and been a major part of it all,” said Holland, ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with bottom-of-the-table Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.

“I know that John wants to stay at Chelsea, and Chelsea want John to stay, so hopefully that situation can be concluded amicably over the next few weeks.

“It’s the same situation (with Lampard and Cole), we’re dealing with not just normal players, but magnificent servants for this club over a long period.

“So full respect will be given for those players.”

Chelsea are currently second in the table, just two points behind leaders Liverpool with four matches remaining.

But they will have to maintain their title challenge without playmaker Eden Hazard who may not even be ready for Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final, first-leg trip to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

Holland said Jose Mourinho’s squad had the experience to maintain a simultaneous push for both trophies.

“Experience is always vital in any competition and we have a good blend in our squad.”

“We also have a very experienced manager who has been in this situation before, and it’s good to have that experience at this stage.

“Last season we got to the final of the Europa League which was 15 extra matches, the year before we had 13 for the Champions League.”