John Terry to Arsenal: Arsene Wenger rules out move for Chelsea captain
Gunners manager speaks highly of defender who is set to leave during the summer, but says he will not try to sign him
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will not be making a shock move for Chelsea’s John Terry.
Terry, 36, revealed on Sunday he expects to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season after being told he will not be offered a new contract.
That has led to speculation as to where the defender will end up – from America’s Major League Soccer to China or the Gulf – but it appears his destination will not be the Emirates.
Wenger signed Petr Cech from Chelsea during the summer but, while he spoke highly of Terry, he said he would not be trying to sign him.
Asked if he was interested, Wenger said: “No, because he is at the end of his career and he has spent his career at Chelsea. If he wants to play longer, I am sure he will play for Chelsea.
“Loyalty works two ways. I always consider that I'm paid for my commitment to the club and I'm well paid so once it is over the club owes me nothing and I have to get on with my life and find another way. I do not expect a reward because it is part of my contract.”
Wenger added he expects a bright future for Terry regardless of where he ends up.
“He was not only a great player, he certainly still is, but he was also a great coach on the pitch,” Wenger added.
“I saw him here once at London Colney playing with the under-21s and the way he coached the team as a player was absolutely marvellous.
“He was a real leader and he had a great career as well, let's not forget that. That's never a coincidence. The guys who last such a long time have something special.
“He was the symbol of cohesion inside Chelsea's club because him, (Frank) Lampard, (Didier) Drogba and Cech were the players who carried the club's values for long periods. When you lose players like that you're always in danger.
“I see a coaching career in his future, certainly. He will remain in football, I'm sure."
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