Here's why Chelsea Need to give John Terry a new deal

There’s something about Chelsea, over 30?s and contracts. Last season the Frank Lampard saga seemed to go on forever before the midfielder was eventually offered a new deal. This season Lampard’s contract is up at the end of the season as are Ashley Cole’s and John Terry’s. The latter’s is particularly interesting given how underused he was by Rafa Benitez last season. The Mirror report that Chelsea will offer their skipper a new deal.

This season, under Jose Mourinho, he has started playing like the John Terry of old and he is looking increasingly reliable. Chelsea’s defence has been creaky this season but Terry has been solid and now the question has become who plays alongside the skipper, rather than where does Terry fit in?

Only Eden Hazard can boast a higher Performance Score than the Chelsea captain’s 511, more than both Gary Cahill and David Luiz combined. His tackle success rate is a healthy 52% and he’s won an impressive 67% of his aerial duels. That last stat is particularly important a club like Chelsea. The likes of Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Willian, Ramires etc won’t be a great help at defending corners so having Terry in fine form is particularly key.

No-one at the club has averaged more Defensive Actions per game than Terry (9) and impressively, the defender has only picked up one yellow card all season. What speaks most about Terry as a player though is his 91% passing accuracy. For all his last ditch challenges and never say die attitude it often goes unnoticed that he is an excellent player technically. It is a side of his game he works on and his long range passing is amongst the best in the world for his position. David Luiz gets plenty of plaudits for his passing but in reality Terry does more to get his team going with his distribution.

Terry’s club form has prompted many to start discussing the possibility of an international recall ahead of the World Cup. England’s central defence has come under some scrutiny in recent months and a player of Terry’s experience could be a welcome presence at the World Cup. On the other hand Chelsea’s number 26?s dismissal as England captain and his subsequent departure from the international set-up could be seen as potentially volatile should he be called up again.

In all likelihood Terry won’t be going to the World Cup but if he keeps up this form he could be finishing the season with another medal to add to his collection. He will remain a Chelsea legend and he is a firm favourite amongst the fans. The Chelsea hierarchy must have learned their lesson from last season and they would be fools not to offer their captain a new deal.