Jamie Carragher on John Terry's Chelsea 'goodbye'

Jamie Carragher believes John Terry deserved a better send off from Chelsea, should the captain not return next season.

Terry was suspended for Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Leicester on Sunday, but took to the pitch after the game at Stamford Bridge to speak to the home fans and reiterate his desire to stay.

Terry is out of contract in the summer and although the club have offered him a one-year deal, he is yet to sign, saying on Friday that he is mulling over the decision.

And Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports 1 HD, claimed a man of the Chelsea captain's stature at the club deserved more.

"He's been an integral part of what Chelsea have done over the last 10 years or so, the success they've had and the trophies they've won," he said.

"The one criticism you'd have of the club at times, plenty of times, is they've lacked a little bit of class in different situations.

"To have a figure like [Terry] and the way it's been played out over the last few months, with arguably Chelsea's greatest ever player, to be left hanging there like that. It doesn't seem like a send off to me the way it should have been done and the way it should have been handled by the club.

"To come out with a statement three or four days ago that they'd offered him a contract, it felt to me that they were backing him into a corner when it should be something they do together, whatever that may be."

However, Thierry Henry believes Terry's emotional address to the fans suggested that the captain won't be returning to Stamford Bridge next season.

He said: "It was a bit weird for me, because I thought it was just like an end-of-season captain talk, and then when he started to be emotional and cry, why would you do that if you're sure of coming back?

"So if you're not coming back, is that a proper signing off for the man? I don't think it is. I said so many times I think he should stay. 

"Whether he is going to start or not is up to the next manager, but I think he should be back. Because of his tears it looked like he's not coming back, and I think it will be a mistake if he doesn't."

While Graeme Souness believes the lack of respect shown to Terry may lead Chelsea down a dangerous path.

"I think Chelsea have to be careful," said Souness. "Terry will be highly regarded in that dressing room, and there will be players in there thinking: 'when it's my time they might deal with me in the exact same way. What loyalty should I show to this football club if they are going to keep me dangling and not show any great respect?'

"If you can't show respect and dignity to someone [like Terry], arguably the best player Chelsea have ever had, if you can't do the right thing thing by someone of that status, I think it's a dangerous road you're going down."