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If you thought that the John Terry contract saga was going to end with the final match of the season, well, that was cute. Nothing is ever that straightforward, and Chelsea have now confirmed that they've offered the skipper a one-year contract extension.
It is announced in the press conference that John Terry has been offered a one-year contract extension. John is considering the offer. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 13, 2016
On the face of it, this is good news. Supporters have been pressuring the club to retain the most successful captain (and player) we've ever had, and now Chelsea have reconsidered their earlier lack of interest and want to bring Terry back for one last go. How wonderful!
Or, if you want to be a little more cynical, Chelsea are now aware of the sort of offers Terry is receiving from overseas, and have floated one-year deal on unacceptable terms so that they can frame him as a money-grubbing villain when he departs despite this offer. How fiendish!
There are, in other words, a whole spectrum of possible responses here, and it's not at all clear which way this is going to go. I suspect most Chelsea fans will veer cynical -- watching matches this season will do that to you -- but we'll have to wait and see just how this turns out.