Terry not chasing new deal

Terry: Staying put

From day one this has never been about a new deal for John Terry, as I said I have three years left on my contract and if I have a good year they will come and talk to me.

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John Terry has told Sky Sports News that getting a new deal from Chelsea has not even been in his thoughts as he confirmed his decision to reject Manchester City.

Big-spending City have been tracking Terry for a number of months and they tested Chelsea's resolve this summer with a firm cash bid - believed to be around £35million.

The Blues informed their skipper about the offer, but immediately made it clear they did not want him to leave, and that was enough for Terry - who insists he has not been using City's interest to try and lever a better contract for himself.

"I let my football do the talking, I have got three years left on my current deal and from day one with Peter [Kenyon, chief executive] to Roman [Abramovich, owner] it has not been about a new deal," he explained to Sky Sports News.

"We have not spoken about any contract talks over the last month or five weeks. As I said I wanted reassurances about people like Ashley [Cole] - who was brilliant last year - him and Frank [Lampard] were our best players last year.

"He has two years left on his current deal and I want players like that around me, I want these players staying at Chelsea Football Club and I am sure the fans feel exactly the same, so people like Didier [Drogba], Ashley - [Florent] Malouda has just signed, John Obi Mikel, are close to signing new deals.

"I have said that from day one [that I want to stay here for the rest of my career]. I have been at the club 14 years and it is strange because it is the first time in my career that someone has come in for me, and the speculation surrounding it is a bit strange as everyone expects you to come out and respond to things instantly, which I had done a couple of times last year when City came in for me.

"I just felt I would do this in my time, in Chelsea's time and do things when it was right for us but I am very pleased with how things have gone.

"From day one this has never been about a new deal for John Terry, as I said I have three years left on my contract and if I have a good year they will come and talk to me sooner rather than later."

No quitting

Terry insisted that he was never even considering quitting Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea insisted from the start they wanted him to stay.

"It's a nothing from day one, I got a phone call from Peter when I was on holiday telling me about the offer from Man City and the club said they didn't want to sell me and from then on it was never an issue for me to leave Chelsea Football Club," he continued.

"I am very flattered and honoured by the bid Man City put in for me. I have huge respect for Mark Hughes and people around Man City, but at the same time I have been at Chelsea for 14 years now and I aim to spend the rest of my career with them.

"I just wanted reassurances that key players around me like Ashley and Didier, who are in contract talks at the moment, are going to be staying and that was a key factor for me, so I am pleased about these players and the ambition at the club is in the right direction and where I want to be."

Reports suggested that Terry was frustrated by Chelsea's failure to make a 'marquee' signing so far this summer, but he insists the club have been doing their best to bring in big names.

"Listen the club have put in a few good bids for players across the world, we have failed to sign any real expensive players - a few additions here and there - and they have told me about a few signings they tried to make and they just fell short a couple of times, but clubs are asking just a bit too much, and I am pleased with that, from all the players not just my own," he said.

Early days

Terry is also very pleased with how Chelsea have been looking under the tutelage of new boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"It is still early days, but we look very sharp and we are training very well - a big signing would be fantastic but at the same time we have a group of 25-26 players who are more than capable of winning things next season for Chelsea," he said.

"I have just been wanting to get fit really and I am feeling really sharp and I am delighted with how things have gone."

Terry also admits that he can see his suitors Manchester City challenging for honours in the not too distant future, likening their potential to that of Chelsea of a few years ago.

"I think obviously eventually they will be right up there with the ambition they are showing, it is great for the Premier League what they are doing, they are like Chelsea from four or five years ago," he continued.

"We had a similar base at the time and they have that now, they will have a threat and will cause problems - in two or three years they will be even bigger."

Blues boss Ancelotti was also delighted to learn that Terry would be staying put.

"For sure I am happy, not only me is happy but all the club and the fans," he told Sky Sports News.

"It is very important but I was sure as I know John Terry - he is very professional and his leadership within the club, and I said to him to have trust in me."