Guus Hiddink: John Terry could stay at Chelsea

Asked about the timing of Terry’s announcement on Sunday in wake of the club’s 5-1 FA Cup annihilation of MK Dons, Hiddink said: “It was a bit surprising, but it’s entirely up to him to do so”. “It took me a couple of days to get over”.

“The club has the utmost respect for John and everything he has helped us to achieve to date”.

Chelsea subsequently issued a statement in which they said “channels of dialogue” remained open about his future – but Zouma said he had been shocked to learn that Terry could be entering the final months of his Blues career.

“John’s statistics and the view I have on him – he’s very fit – and he is not what you normally see in a 35- or 36-year-old player”, he added.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League game against Watford at Vicarage Road, the Chelsea manager responded to questions related to the captain’s contract situation.

Terry was a pivotal figure as the Blues won their first league title in five years last season, playing every minute of all 38 games.

Terry is the second highest-scoring defender in the Premier League history with 40 goals to his name.

Trizia Fiorellino, chair of the Chelsea Supporters Group, told BBC radio: “It seems a very unusual time to do it and given that we’ve got no manager at the moment – we’ve got an interim manager (Guus Hiddink) – who has made this decision for John Terry to go?” “I like him very much the way he’s playing and that he’s committed to the team”.

Chelsea have floundered in defence of their Premier League title.

Chelsea claim the 35-year-old could still be given an extension, but the centre-back is now free to sign a pre-contract with an overseas club and has already been offered a money-spinning move to Qatar outfit Al Arabi.

Chelsea captain John Terry could end his career with the Blues at the end of the season, sparking rumours about the veteran’s next destination. ‘I am convinced because we also talked about this issue’. They told me. “Unfortunately it’s not going to be”.

However, lagging behind US-based clubs is Chinese Super League giant Guangzhou Evergrande, who is believed to be a contender for Terry’s signature.