Chelsea to Find Long-Term Replacement for John Terry

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing A.S. Roma’s defender Kostas Manolas as a long-term replacement of club captain John Terry, who plays at the heart of their defence, Daily Express reports.

The Greek international has long been on the radar of the Premier League Champions, and there were reports that Roma knocked back a bid from Chelsea on the deadline day.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho tried to sign highly rated Everton centre-back John Stones last summer, but Everton were reluctant to sell and knocked back four bids from the Blues.

Chelsea ended up signing Nantes defender and Senegalese international, Papy Djilobodji, on the deadline day.26-year-old is yet to play for the club despite the club conceding 17 times in the first eight games this season. It is understood that Mourinho wasn’t happy with the purchase of the player and is reluctant use him.

Manolas has been in excellent form since joining Roma from Olympiacos in 2014. Upon arrival at the club after the world cup, Manolas quickly established himself as a key member of the club and went on to feature 30 games in the first season. The defender has started all the seven League and Champions League games this season.

Chelsea are expected to table an offer for Manolas in January transfer window.

John Terry Replacement? Chelsea PLAN January Signing Of £25m Rated POWERFUL CB

Chelsea have suffered greatly in the English Premier League this season and find themselves in the 16th position and this has been greatly linked to the team’s terrible defence in all their performances this season.

Chelsea manager may have realized this and that this is largely based on the fact that the captain John Terry is old and has done his best for the club and might not have much to give for the team again. Chelsea have therefore identified Roma’s Kostas Manolas as a long-term replacement for John Terry at the heart of their defence and will be making a bid for the player very soon in a bid to lure the player to Stamford bridge.

The Blues were initially planning to make another bid for Everton’s John Stones and PSG’s Marquinhos by the January transfer window but may have found out the hard way that these players may never make the switch to Stamford Bridge and the financial requirements are even too large for the Blues to cough out in January despite the club saying they will back Mourinho’s choices. The Blues may therefore have seen the 24-year-old Greek international as a cheaper alternative for the centre-back dilemma.

Upon the player’s arrival from the Greek champions Olympiacos after the 2014 World Cup, Manolas quickly became a regular player for AS Roma and made 30 appearances for the side in his first season.

The 6ft1 defender who has completed 91% of his passes this season has also started all of their Champions League games this season too.

He could be a good addition for Chelsea if they can get his signature but if not, maybe the Blues will have to look elsewhere.

John Terry slammed as 'diabolical' for parking in Esher disabled bay

Matthew Seaby, who has previously confronted John Terry over his behaviour, said it may lead others to think 'if he’s done it I can do it as well'.

Footballer John Terry’s latest disabled parking space misdemeanour has been slammed as ‘diabolical’ by a man who has confronted the Chelsea captain over his behaviour.

The former England international’s Range Rover was left in the reserved disabled space in Esher High Street last weekend outside his hairdresser and a kebab shop.

In 2008, his Bentley was caught on camera in a disabled space, again in Esher, while around 18 months ago, he was challenged by a blue badge holder in Brooklands Tesco as the 34-year-old defender began to pull into the last available disabled space.

Matthew Seaby, a buddy scheme co-ordinator at Esher-based Voluntary Action Elmbridge, said on that occasion Terry had offered to buy his shopping after he was confronted at the store and that the latest indiscretion was all the more disappointing given how apologetic he seemed.

Mr Seaby, a Chelsea fan himself, said: “He acknowledged it was a bit too much, so to get caught out like he did a few days ago is ridiculous. It was wrong for him to do it. It’s diabolical.

"He is a public figure and a role model to a lot of people who will say ‘if he’s done it I can do it as well’.”

During the incident at Brooklands, Mr Seaby’s PA challenged Terry, saying ‘excuse me, this is the only disabled bay’ and Terry came up to speak to Mr Seaby who explained that he understood the footballer would want to get in and out quickly but that he was in an adapted vehicle and needed the extra room.

According to Byfleet resident Mr Seaby, Terry said: “I’m really sorry. I didn’t think, I’ve got the kids with me, you’re right,” and he then offered to pay for Mr Seaby’s shopping, although he was turned down.

Terry was first criticised for parking in a disabled bay, again in Esher High Street, in 2008 when he parked his Bentley outside Pizza Express to have a long lunch with his family.

In that instance, he received a £60 fine and his aide promised it would never happen again. His representatives were unavailable for comment this time.

Mr Seaby believed that although people often park inappropriately, Terry’s celebrity means it draws attention to the wider issue.

“People like myself can say the system’s wonky anyway,” he said. “It does allow us to raise a wider issue.

“There are limited spaces available and there needs to be a greater respect that if they are available, they can only be used for people who should be using them.”

For every 34 parking bays in Surrey, just two must be disabled bays, and Mr Seaby said when he goes out on trips for Voluntary Action Elmbridge, the most-asked question is ‘what is the parking like?’

According to Mr Seaby, there are more than 1,000 applications for blue badges in Surrey each year which means there are five people who want each space available in most town centres.

Watch Chelsea skipper John Terry shoot in charity challenge

Blues captain links up with former boss to fundraise for Guus Hiddink Foundation.

John Terry has stepped up to the plate and taken the lead in the Shoot for Love challenge in cooperation with the Guus Hiddink Foundation.

Participants take 10 shots at a giant archery board and for every point scored the Guus Hiddink Foundation make donations to help children suffering from cancer.

The Shoot for Love campaign was launched by Guus Hiddink Foundation and Be Kind last May and has since raised over £200,000.

Blues ladies midfielder Ji So-Yun nominated the Chelsea captain and after a rocky start he scored 84 points, putting him top of the table.

Hiddink said: “We are deeply touched by John Terry’s act of kindness. His participation in the challenge will provide vital funds for the children.”

Watch: John Terry's career in pictures

Jun Kim, Director of the Shoot for Love Challenge charity campaign, added: “He gave us so much attention and listened to everything we had to say. He even offered his jerseys and boots for the charity.

“Our goal is to raise childhood cancer awareness on a global scale.”

The global challenge is set to continue after Terry nominated former team-mates Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Steven Gerrard.

The campaign has already attracted some of the biggest names in world football with Spanish legends Carles Puyol and Raul Gonzalez, Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta, retired Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, PSV Eindhoven manager Phillip Cocu, Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels and many others raising funds for children with cancer.

MLS Clubs Lining Up Surprise Move for Chelsea Skipper John Terry

The Mirror are reporting that there are several foreign clubs interested in taking Chelsea captain John Terry away from London.

A number of teams from China have been linked, as well as Turkish side Fenerbahce. It could be seen by Terry as one last pay day before he retires from the professional game.

After a poor start to the Premier League season he could follow the same route that a number of his former team-mates made.

His contract expires at the end of the current season, meaning that he will be a free agent come next summer and the clubs interested will be able to get the defender on a free contract.

He can start talking to foreign clubs in January about such a switch, and MLS sides are looking to bring the Chelsea's Legend to America.

According to the reports he can start the next season overseas with New York City FC, Montreal Impact or La Galaxy. Some reports suggest that New York City may be the most likely destination for the former England star.

John Terry admitted he would consider a move to the MLS in the future.

“I certainly don’t want to play for another club in the Premier League or England. I don’t think you get that loyalty within football anymore.

“The likes of Lamps, Didier [Drogba], Rio [Ferdinand], Stevie [Gerrard], these guys have stayed at the very top at the best clubs in the world and managed to stay in the team, stay fit and stay hungry, and it is great thing to do, so I am hoping to finish my career at Chelsea.

“If Chelsea decide otherwise, whether that be next year or the year after, and I still feel I will play, of course I will go and play [elsewhere]. I will go to America, wherever the opportunities are there."