John Terry has claimed that getting a new deal from Chelsea was not in his thoughts as he confirmed his decision to turn down a move to Manchester City.
City have been pursuing Terry throughout the summer, but Chelsea were reluctant to sell while Terry says he had no intention of leaving.
“I let my football do the talking, I have got three years left on my current deal and from day one with Peter [Kenyon, chief executive] to Roman [Abramovich, owner] it has not been about a new deal,” he told Sky Sports News.
“We have not spoken about any contract talks over the last month or five weeks. As I said I wanted reassurances about people like Ashley [Cole] – who was brilliant last year – him and Frank [Lampard] were our best players last year.
“He has two years left on his current deal and I want players like that around me, I want these players staying at Chelsea Football Club and I am sure the fans feel exactly the same, so people like Didier [Drogba], Ashley – [Florent] Malouda has just signed, John Obi Mikel, are close to signing new deals.
“I have said that from day one [that I want to stay here for the rest of my career]. I have been at the club 14 years and it is strange because it is the first time in my career that someone has come in for me, and the speculation surrounding it is a bit strange as everyone expects you to come out and respond to things instantly, which I had done a couple of times last year when City came in for me.
“I just felt I would do this in my time, in Chelsea’s time and do things when it was right for us but I am very pleased with how things have gone.
“From day one this has never been about a new deal for John Terry, as I said I have three years left on my contract and if I have a good year they will come and talk to me sooner rather than later.”
Terry insisted that as soon as he heard that Chelsea wanted him to stay, his mind was made up.
“It’s a nothing from day one, I got a phone call from Peter when I was on holiday telling me about the offer from Man City and the club said they didn’t want to sell me and from then on it was never an issue for me to leave Chelsea Football Club,” he added.
“I am very flattered and honoured by the bid Man City put in for me. I have huge respect for Mark Hughes and people around Man City, but at the same time I have been at Chelsea for 14 years now and I aim to spend the rest of my career with them.
“I just wanted reassurances that key players around me like Ashley and Didier, who are in contract talks at the moment, are going to be staying and that was a key factor for me, so I am pleased about these players and the ambition at the club is in the right direction and where I want to be.”
Terry also denied reports that he was becoming frustrated at Chelsea’s failure to make a big-name signing so far this summer.
“Listen the club have put in a few good bids for players across the world, we have failed to sign any real expensive players – a few additions here and there – and they have told me about a few signings they tried to make and they just fell short a couple of times, but clubs are asking just a bit too much, and I am pleased with that, from all the players not just my own,” he said.
Terry also admits that he can see his suitors Manchester City challenging for honours in the next few years.
“I think obviously eventually they will be right up there with the ambition they are showing, it is great for the Premier League what they are doing, they are like Chelsea from four or five years ago,” he continued.
“We had a similar base at the time and they have that now, they will have a threat and will cause problems – in two or three years they will be even bigger.”
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