Guus Hiddink says he was ‘surprised’ by John Terry’s announcement that he will definitely be leaving Chelsea.
And the interim manager says the Blues captain may yet be offered a new deal by the club.
Terry announced after Chelsea’s 5-1 FA Cup win over MK Dons on Sunday that the club were not planning to renew his contract and that he was likely to continue his career abroad.
The Blues subsequently released a statement confirming the 35-year-old defender had been told there was no offer currently on the table, but that the situation could change in the future.
And, speaking ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Watford on Wednesday, Hiddink said it was still not out of the question that the Blues would offer their captain a new deal, perhaps in the wake of the appointment of a new permanent manager.
“First of all, I like very much the way John is playing and is committed to the team,” said Hiddink.
“He will be [committed], I can assure you that, because I also had some conversations with him in the past days about all kinds of things in football.
“John is entitled, as his contract is expiring at the end of the season, to make up his mind, that is true.
“It was a bit surprising but he is completely entitled to do so.
“On the other hand, I don’t want to over-value the attention we are giving this. On the club’s side, I think they still want to have the dialogue and try to have an open door still.
“There has not been a specific decision made yet. It is early, we have to see what is coming up in the transition of the management as well.”
Terry is a club legend at Stamford Bridge, having enjoyed a glorious trophy-laden career with the Blues, for whom he has made almost 700 appearances.
A key figure in their charge to Premier League title glory last season, he remains a first-choice selection this term, and Hiddink agrees that his captain remains a Premier League-calibre performer.
“John’s statistics and the view I have on him is that he is very fit,” said the veteran Dutch boss. “He is not what you normally see from a 35- or 36-year-old player, where they feel they are getting a little bit slower, but cannot accept it.
“None of that for John, he is fit and he is performing. Regardless of the situation, he will be very professional and play with all his heart as well.
“The door is not shut, dialogue is always possible.”
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