Chelsea
have denied that talks have taken place over John Terry's future at Stamford
Bridge.
A report in the
Times newspaper on Tuesday claimed the Blues
skipper, who has been at the club his entire career, has been told he will
not be offered another playing contract when his current deal expires in the
summer.
Ahead of their Premier League game with Sunderland on Wednesday, Chelsea's
head of communications Steve Atkins disclosed that a meeting will take place
towards the end of the season.
He said: "It's a little early in the season for stories like this to come
out. It is the kind of discussion that we have with players in the last year
of their contract, but much later in the season.
"That discussion has not taken place between John and the club. It's
something that will be discussed later in the season, not for now."
Terry, 36, has not started in the Premier League for Chelsea since September
but manager Antonio Conte insists the veteran skipper has been playing an
essential role in the dressing room.
Conte has revealed that Terry has been travelling with the squad to every
home and away game and assisting the Italian in getting his message across
to the players, despite carrying an injury.
The Chelsea manager said: "John is our captain and I think he is done a
great job when he has played. Now he is not playing but he is helping me a
lot in the changing room to send the right message to the players.
"He is injured but he is coming with us to every game, home and away, to
transfer the right message. This is fantastic.
"John loves this club. I know John very well in this period. I am pleased a
lot to know the man, not only the player, and I think he is a really
important player for us, if he plays or if he doesn't play.
"It's important for me to send the right message in the changing room, and
send the right spirit of this club. I hope to have him available to play,
but it's also important to have him in this role."
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