Chelsea's end of season gala and awards night will be held tonight, Friday the 13th, but perhaps the normally ominous date will bring good luck this time around.
EXCLUSIVE John Terry could stay at Chelsea as club cancel captain’s ‘farewell’ tribute #CFChttps://t.co/qcMXMPRWo3 pic.twitter.com/Sck4zSAqbl
— The Sun Football (@TheSunFootball) May 12, 2016
The story goes that Chelsea were going to pay tribute to the departing captain during the ceremony but that segment of the night's agenda has been canceled. Presumably, this would mean that Chelsea aren't quite yet ready to say goodbye and that the "new contact" between Terry and Granovskaia & Co has resulted in some positive developments (positive if you want Terry to stay, of course).
There is no word on what the status of Monday's farewell party at Stamford Bridge may be, but perhaps it'll turn into a new contract celebration party.
Corroborating evidence also comes from Duncan Castles' hot take central. The journalist who called Terry's red card against Sunderland "a fitting end" is now running with the story that Antonio Conte has personally asked the Board to retain Terry for another season.
Antonio Conte wants to keep John Terry at Chelsea. If the club does not renew contract, it will do so against their manager's wishes. #CFC
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) May 12, 2016
It should be noted that just because Conte is the new head coach, that doesn't mean Chelsea have to oblige his every request. Just because he asks for a new contract for Terry or a new coach or whatever, he has to work with the other decision-makers at the club. When he signed up for the job, he no doubt understood the terms of the agreement and relationship he would have to have with the other powers that be at Chelsea.
In any case, one way or another, I suspect we'll have an official answer regarding John Terry's future very soon.