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Jose Mourinho: John Terry 'will be a Chelsea player next season'

Jose Mourinho has said he can guarantee skipper John Terry will be a Chelsea player next season at a news conference ahead of their match against West Ham.

Terry, 34, has a contract which runs out at the end of the current season and his future at Stamford Bridge has been the subject of speculation. However, with the Capital One Cup trophy in the bag after the weekend, manager Mourinho has revealed that his captain is staying put.

Chelsea policy dictates that players over the age of 30 are offered only 12-month deals. Terry signed his current deal 48 hours after the end of last season -- Mourinho's first back at Stamford Bridge -- but his next offer could come before the end of the current campaign.

"It will be before the end of the season, for sure,'' Mourinho added.

The Chelsea boss was also asked about the prospect of eventually replacing Terry, but says he still sees that situation as some way off due to the captain's excellent form.

"Every one of these big guys is difficult to replace, but at the same time you still have the player and he is still an important player, you have to start thinking: 'What next?' That's the best way to do things," he said.

"Sometimes you have the solution just around the corner. Sometimes you don't have it and you have to look outside your club. But this is a process that we can take our time over because John is proving again this season that he's a player for years.

"When I came back last year he was coming from a difficult period, but last season he was very good. This season even better than last season. So, normally, he has time to enjoy his football with us. At the same time, he gives us time to think about what next." 

Mourinho also insisted that Chelsea would expect "huge money" if Petr Cech eventually leaves the club, but said that decision would be entirely down to the goalkeeper himself.

Although the long-serving Czech has been sidelined by Thibaut Courtois this season, Cech did start Sunday's Capital One Cup final and has been involved in some big games.

"I don't think Petr is a guy to be persuaded [by anyone else about what he should do]. He doesn't let anyone persuade him," Mourinho added. "He will make his decision and, when he makes that decision, I think he's very mature making what he feels is the best decision for him and his future.

"I will just wait, wishing his decision is to stay. That's my desire. I would like him very, very much to stay. But I don't waste my time trying to persuade him because it's just his decision.

"If he tells me he wants to leave I will tell him my opinion, that he is one of the three best goalkeepers in the world, so huge money."

Chelsea resume their bid for a first Premier League title in five years at West Ham on Wednesday.

The Hammers, beaten 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day, have one win in 10 Premier League games, while Chelsea have one game in hand after second-placed Manchester City lost at Liverpool on Sunday.

Mourinho said: "When our direct opponents lose points, it's good for us. We have five points advantage, which in this competition is not a lot.

"Mathematics plays a role in all of this -- 12 matches to go, 36 points to play, 36 minus five, we need 31 points.''

Information from Miguel Delaney was used in this report.

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