Redknapp predicts Terry 'twist'
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(February 1st 2016)
Jamie Redknapp believes Chelsea could yet do a U-turn and offer "last of the legends" John Terry a new contract.
Jamie Redknapp says it's a 'strange decision' by Chelsea to not offer John Terry another contract
The Blues' most decorated captain announced on Sunday he will leave at the end of the season after being told his deal will not be renewed.
Terry has accepted there will be "no fairytale ending" and plans to play on at a club outside England, but Chelsea did tell the 35-year-old "things could change" once a permanent successor to Jose Mourinho is named.
Sky Sports expert Redknapp said the decision is the latest sign that Chelsea lack "a lot of respect" for their great players but has not ruled out a change of heart.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "He's the sort of guy that could have a fantastic run until the end of the season and they end up giving him a new contract at the end of the year.
"I still don't think it is the end of it yet, I still feel there could be a twist and turn in this one, you'd like to hope that Chelsea would see some sense and realise what this man still has to offer.
"I am surprised in one way, obviously because of what he can offer the football club, but in another way I am not.
Jamie Redknapp on John Terry "John Terry has been the best Premier League defender I've seen, the best centre-back I've ever played against. He's just been a warrior."
Jamie Redknapp on John Terry
"If you look at the way they dealt with Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, other players who have left the club, it's like they don't pay a lot of respect to their former players if you like.
"A little bit unlike what, say, Manchester United have done where they try to keep the likes of Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville as long as possible. Chelsea seem to go about it in a different approach: it's like the last of the legends, Lampard, Cech, Drogba, and now obviously Terry going at the end of the season.
"I'd be doing everything I could to keep hold of John Terry at my football club if I was the owner or manager. I think he's got so much to offer, not only the first team but whenever you go to the academy he's always the poster boy there. He's the last player they brought through if you like, that has become a regular in the first team.
"They're going to miss that authority he holds. He can also still do a job on the pitch. It seems to be a little bit strange to get rid of him or not offer him a contract because he's got so much to offer that football club.
"John Terry has been the best Premier League defender I've seen, the best centre-back I've ever played against. He's just been a warrior.
"Maybe they've spoken to the new manager and asked if he wanted to keep John Terry, maybe the new manager has said he wants to start afresh and bring in the players he wants, which is understandable.
"There's talk they may not want to hand out a new contract while they haven't got a full manager in place, which is strange because they gave Branislav Ivanovic a new deal a couple weeks back."
Frank Lampard paid tribute to his long-time Chelsea team-mate. Lampard, who left Stamford Bridge in 2014, posted a picture on Instagram of the pair celebrating together for Chelsea with the caption: "#captain #legend #chelsea #winner @johnterry.26"
Another former Chelsea man, Graeme Le Saux, is disappointed to see Terry heading for the exit door.
The former England full-back told BBC Radio 5 Live: "The relationship between an older player who's been at the club all his career and is getting to the end of that lifespan, it's whether the club are going to compromise or the player's going to compromise.
"It's difficult for both the club and John Terry but I'd love to see him there, because I think he still has a huge role to play."
Chris Sutton, who spent the 1999-2000 season with Chelsea, told the same station: "It's disappointing more than anything. Clubs don't show enough loyalty to players.
"John Terry's been a tremendous servant, he's been outstanding for the last 15 or 20 years for Chelsea, and he deserves better.
"Chelsea have been struggling and John Terry, I think, as this season has gone on has got better and better."
Regarding Terry's decision to reveal the news, Sutton added: "He's annoyed, he's angry... I think he would just feel let down. He's given so much to Chelsea and I think he expected more from the club."