John
Terry has been advised to play on for as long as possible as his Chelsea
exit draws closer.
The 35-year-old captain revealed in January he would be leaving Stamford
Bridge at the end of the season after a failure to agree a new contract.
Chelsea maintain Terry could yet be offered a one-year extension, the club's
policy for those aged over 30, but the defender could accept a lucrative
offer to play in America's MLS, China or the Middle East.
Blues caretaker boss Guus Hiddink, who will leave in May, says Terry should
continue to play for as long as he can before turning to management, if that
is his chosen career path.
"If you love the game - and he loves the game - play as long as possible,"
Hiddink said ahead of Saturday's game with Aston Villa.
"Being a manager is OK, but it's more or less a substitute for being a
player.
"To play is the most beautiful thing you can experience if you love the
game. So try to play as long as possible until they say, 'Hey, grandfather,
please leave the pitch now'."
The fate of Terry, who has made more than 700 appearances for the west
London club since making his debut in October 1998, could be determined by
the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho, who was sacked in December.
Antonio Conte will leave his role as Italy boss after Euro 2016 and has been
heavily tipped to take the Stamford Bridge job.
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