John
Terry will definitely stay at Chelsea beyond the end of his current deal,
Jose Mourinho says.
The club captain's contract is up in June, and Mourinho this season showed
his willingness to cut ties with long-serving players when Frank Lampard was
allowed to leave.
But the Chelsea boss watched Terry score and lead the side to clean sheets
in successive games either side of Christmas, and asked whether the
34-year-old would stay he said: "It's a formality.
"There are no doubts that he is going to get another contract. I know that,
he knows that. We in the club, in the board, we know that and I think also
you have to feel that. Without us confirming anything, you have to feel
that.
"He's a very important player in the team so the next contract sooner or
later will come."
Chelsea are three points clear of champions Manchester City at the top ahead
of Saturday's game at Southampton, one of just six teams still within 15
points of the leaders.
Mourinho said: "Below 15 points you are in the title race. More than 15
points, it is an impossible job.
"I have lots of experiences of coming from behind or being top of the
league; I prefer to be top of the league and the players are exactly in the
same line as me. It is better to be in front. We play and we think about
ourselves."
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