Sunday 17 January 2016 23:34, UK
John Terry insists he can continue to play at the top of the game, but is prepared to bide his time over a new deal at Chelsea.
Terry played every minute of the Blues' Premier League title-winning campaign last season and was rewarded with a new 12-month contract, but has struggled along with most of his team-mates this term with Chelsea languishing in 14th place, 14 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.
However, he proved his dogged commitment to the Blues' cause on Saturday with a stoppage-time equaliser in the 3-3 draw with Everton, having opened the scoring with an own goal, and the 35-year-old says he feels as strong as ever.
"When you get to a certain age, there are a lot of people out there who think 'he's 35, going on 36 and maybe his legs have gone'. But I have never had legs, it's as simple as that," he said.
"I have never been quick all my career. But physically, I probably feel as good as I've ever felt in the last two or three years.
"I'm in the right state of mind. I'm still hungry. I want to win and finish my career here."
Chelsea's policy is to offer only one-year increments to players aged over 30, but Terry is relaxed about his future.
"I'm not thinking of that," he added. "Last year, it was a couple of months from now before things got sorted.
"For me, the most important thing is to get us out of this and up the league table. Hopefully that comes and I will just have to keep plugging away."
Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink says he doesn't see much difference between the Terry he coached in his first spell at the club in 2009 and the current edition.
"His commitment is huge for this team and for the club, not just with his equalising goal, but with his attitude and the actions he did defensively and offensively," said the Dutchman.
"For me, there's not much (difference) between John in 2009 and now. For me, you would have to underline that with data. You can say 'hey, make a test and say he has lost some speed', but I cannot see that.
"He's fit, he trains well, he takes care of himself, takes a good rest, which you have to do at that age. I cannot see that he is slowing down a bit."
