John Terry has been told that this will be his last season as a player with Chelsea as the club begin the process of finding another role for him at Stamford Bridge. During informal and cordial talks, the captain also reassured Chelsea’s board that he does not want to leave in next month’s transfer window — despite lucrative offers from China — and that he is planning to end the season at the club where he has spent his entire career.

Speculation over Terry’s future overshadowed much of the second half of last season at Chelsea as his contract entered its final months before he finally signed a one-year extension. The club are eager to avoid a recurrence, particularly with Antonio Conte’s side challenging strongly