Report: John Terry Accepts Chelsea Policy, Willing To Agree To One-Year Contract

John Terry will submit to Chelsea’s will in order to stay at the club beyond this season.

Chelsea captain Terry wants to end his career at the Premier League club, but he’s not ready to stop playing anytime soon. Terry’s age, expiring contract and wishes put him at odds with club policy, but he is willing to soften his stance for the sake of his Chelsea career, according to the Mail.

“John Terry is ready to accept a one-year contract at Chelsea if it means prolonging his playing career at Stamford Bridge,” the report says.

“The club captain, showing some of the best form of his career, comes to the end of his current five-year, £150,000-a-week deal in June.

“Terry, 33, had wanted a two-year deal, but was told Chelsea policy for players over the age of 30 is to offer only 12 months. He has accepted this and is hoping to start his 17th season as a professional with Chelsea in August.”

After battling injuries, scandal and a number of his own managers for the better part of the previous two seasons, Terry is enjoying a renaissance in 2013-14. Terry has played every minute of every league game for this season, and Chelsea has the best defensive record in the league. Terry is once again being spoken of as the best center back in the Premier League.

In October 2012, Chelsea had reportedly decided to let Terry walk after this season, but Mourinho’s return last summer might have changed Chelsea’s mind about Terry. It has been widely reported that Mourinho will ultimately decide whether to offer Terry a new deal or let him leave as a free agent. It’s unclear where the Chelsea manager stands at this point in time.

Last month, the Mail reported that Chelsea wanted to start grooming Terry for a potential managerial career. The Blues were reportedly willing to offer Terry a coaching role as part of his new contract, but he preferred to focus solely on his playing career.

Terry has been linked with Galatasary in recent months. The Turkish champions were reportedly willing to offer him a two-year contract worth £100,000 per week (or £5 million per season) after taxes, but the Mail report suggests Terry will turn down the more lucrative offer from Galtasaray if Chelsea offers him an extension.

Chelsea’s contract policy is often cited as a main reason why Didier Drogba left for China’s Shanghai Shenhua in 2012.

Terry has been one of Chelsea’s chief power brokers for a decade, but it seems he’s willing to back down at this crucial time in his career. Despite his status as Chelsea’s “captain, leader, legend,” Terry will take things year-by-year so that he can remain with the only club he’s ever known as a professional.