Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is planning to phase John Terry out of his squad during the next two transfer windows, according to Daily Mail.
Conte has overseen a brilliant defensive transformation at Stamford Bridge during the opening weeks of the season, shooting the Blues to the top of the Premier League – conceding just one goal in seven games.
Nevertheless, the Italian wants to add new defenders to his ranks during the January transfer window and then the summer, with Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci and and Roma’s Antonio Rudiger among the names Chelsea are interested in.
Terry, partly owing to injury, hasn’t started in any of Chelsea’s seven-game winning streak and he will be pushed down further the defensive pecking order if Conte has his way in the transfer market.
Similarly, with Kurt Zouma approaching a first-team return, the chances of Terry regaining his place this season are looking bleak.
All the indications are that Terry, if he wants to continue his playing career, will have to look elsewhere at the end of the season.
Terry will become a free agent when his deal expires at the end of the season.
Having earned £140,000-per-week at the end of last season, the Blues captain agreed a hefty pay-cut to stay at Stamford Bridge for a further 12 months.
But the deal included a significant appearance fee, which would have topped up Terry’s salary to a sum closer to his previous wage.
However, his lack of action so far this season could make a lucrative move abroad an attract proposition for Terry.
Shanghai Shenhua, who have recently appointed former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet as manager, remains a potential destination for Terry, who can start discussing a potential free transfer summer move abroad from January 1.
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