Terry hasn’t ruled out retiring after Sunday

Ian Watson

John Terry says he could retire when his Chelsea career comes to an end this summer.

Terry made his 716th Chelsea appearance and likely his penultimate one at Stamford Bridge, scoring his 67th goal as the Premier League champions beat Watford 4-3 on Monday night.

The 36-year-old defender will leave Chelsea this summer after 22 years and will also be expected to play on Sunday against Sunderland when he will lift a fifth championship title and 15th major honour.

A 16th will be sought in the May 27 FA Cup final with Arsenal, when Antonio Conte will bid to end his first season as head coach with the double.

Former England captain Terry is likely to receive numerous offers to play on, but he is contemplating quitting altogether when he leaves the club where he has spent his entire career.

“I’ve still not ruled out Sunday being my last game and retiring from football,” Terry told Sky Sports 1.

“I never wanted to be that player that was kind of hanging about, stopping the younger players from coming through.

“It depends, if the right offer comes along I will sit down and consider it with my family – whether that’s here, abroad, or wherever that may be.

“Genuinely I haven’t made any decisions of yet and I’m evaluating all my options at the moment.”

Conte thinks Terry should not retire and instead stick by his decision to continue playing regularly elsewhere, which was his motivation for departing Chelsea.

Asked if Terry should retire, Conte said: “No. Absolutely (not).

“Otherwise he stays here. John wants to continue to play. I wish for him and his family the best. Chelsea will be always his home.

“When you arrive at this moment and your heart, your head and your body tell you continue to play, because you want to play, it’s right.”

The Premier League trophy will be presented following Chelsea’s final match of the season at home to Sunderland on Sunday.

Conte added: “This is the right final for John.”

Terry is taking his coaching badges and Chelsea could have a vacancy when assistant boss Steve Holland leaves to join England full-time this summer.

Conte said his “door is open” for Holland to stay, but the former Italy boss understands the lure of the national team.