Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard admits he does not know whether skipper John Terry will remain at Stamford Bridge.
The 28-year-old England international has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in recent weeks.
A host of Chelsea players have made it clear they want their captain to stay in West London, but Lampard, who widely considered to be one of Terry's closest confidants at the Blues, has been more diplomatic.
Lampard looked set to join former boss José Mourinho at Inter Milan last summer, but opted to stay with the Blues and was rewarded in August with a five-year deal worth £150,000 a week.
Speaking after his side defeated Seattle Sounders 2-0 in a friendly at Qwest Field on Saturday, Lampard said: "I don't know what he will do. I've been in John's position and everyone at the club wants him to stay.
"I know what he's going through. I had an option to leave last summer, to go with a manager in José Mourinho who I love.
"But it came to me at a time in my life that, maybe, just wasn't right.
"But the situation made me think an awful lot. It wasn't an easy decision and I don't think people should criticise John.
"You can never take away what he's done for Chelsea. He'll always be a legend.
"I hope and I'm confident that, whatever happens, he will be considered a legend at the club."
Terry himself has been conspicuously silent about the matter, leading many observers to surmise that he is seriously considering a switch to Eastlands, where his wages would reportedly be astronomical.
Backed by the mega-rich Abu Dhabi Group, City are believed to have offered him a staggering five-year deal worth £250,000 a week.
"John's a very honourable man and it doesn't come down to money. I know John," Lampard continued.
"I know he'll be thinking about what's the right thing to do as a player and for his career. No one should doubt that John Terry is a winner.
"This is not just about money, people shouldn't try to make it that black and white.
"It's understandable as it's Manchester City who have come in, but it's up to John what happens.
"All I can say is that I'm very proud each time I play with him and, as a club, you want to keep players like John Terry. It's as simple as that."
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
The 28-year-old England international has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in recent weeks.
A host of Chelsea players have made it clear they want their captain to stay in West London, but Lampard, who widely considered to be one of Terry's closest confidants at the Blues, has been more diplomatic.
Lampard looked set to join former boss José Mourinho at Inter Milan last summer, but opted to stay with the Blues and was rewarded in August with a five-year deal worth £150,000 a week.
Speaking after his side defeated Seattle Sounders 2-0 in a friendly at Qwest Field on Saturday, Lampard said: "I don't know what he will do. I've been in John's position and everyone at the club wants him to stay.
"I know what he's going through. I had an option to leave last summer, to go with a manager in José Mourinho who I love.
"But it came to me at a time in my life that, maybe, just wasn't right.
"But the situation made me think an awful lot. It wasn't an easy decision and I don't think people should criticise John.
"You can never take away what he's done for Chelsea. He'll always be a legend.
"I hope and I'm confident that, whatever happens, he will be considered a legend at the club."
Terry himself has been conspicuously silent about the matter, leading many observers to surmise that he is seriously considering a switch to Eastlands, where his wages would reportedly be astronomical.
Backed by the mega-rich Abu Dhabi Group, City are believed to have offered him a staggering five-year deal worth £250,000 a week.
"John's a very honourable man and it doesn't come down to money. I know John," Lampard continued.
"I know he'll be thinking about what's the right thing to do as a player and for his career. No one should doubt that John Terry is a winner.
"This is not just about money, people shouldn't try to make it that black and white.
"It's understandable as it's Manchester City who have come in, but it's up to John what happens.
"All I can say is that I'm very proud each time I play with him and, as a club, you want to keep players like John Terry. It's as simple as that."
Please subscribe to our RSS feed to receive more updates. You can also subscribe by Email and enjoy our latest posts sent directly to your inbox.
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
