Frank Lampard has urged Chelsea to give a new contract to defender and captain John Terry.
The former England captain is out of contract at the end of the campaign. Terry recently revealed that the club have informed him that there will be no extension. This decision has received a lot of anger and criticism from Chelsea supporters, who feel that Terry is an indispensable part of the team. The club, though, see him as a 35-year-old who may not offer the club much in the coming years. Lampard, though, feels otherwise since Terry has such a command of the dressing room.
Lampard was also in a similar situation and the blues decided to release him primarily because of his age. A number of players from the incredible generation have made a similar fate. The likes of Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, and Lampard were forced to leave the club against their wishes. Terry will certainly find clubs interested in signing him on a long-term contract. He has demonstrated a fitness levels in the last eight months to suggest that even a two or three-year contract is possible. The England defender remains largely injury free and capable of playing two games a week without any issue.
“I think he’s been probably the best defender at Chelsea again this year. I think he’s a leader, he has a huge presence with the club. For me, I would [give him another contract], but it’s a decision for the club to make. I know John wants to stay. I think he’s a help for the young players at the club, I think he’s a link with the fans at the club, but the decision will be made by the owners. Same as what happened with me, eventually your time comes,” said Lampard, who featured very little in his final season at Chelsea.