Football
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Didier Drogba deserves new contract at Chelsea, John Terry says

Didier Drogba deserves a new contract at Chelsea, according to his fellow veteran John Terry.

Chelsea have enforced their club policy of only offering one-year contracts to players over 30, but Terry, 34, believes his 37-year-old teammate yet has another year left in him to produce at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba has scored seven goals in all competitions and has been crucial in Chelsea's title run-in, starting regularly after Diego Costa went down injured, and Terry praised the Ivorian's resilience.

"He's been great because he's had to be patient," Terry said, according to the Mirror. "Ideally he would have liked a bit more game-time. But Diego Costa hit the ground running, scoring a lot of goals.

Costa has been plagued by hamstring issues and may not play again this season after scoring 19 goals in his debut season with Chelsea, meaning Drogba is likely to continue in his starting role in the final games.

Terry said Drogba's contribution in the dressing room is as important as his play on the pitch.

"Didier's experience and the way he speaks before the games, after defeats when you're down and you need an old head to help," Terry said.

"At times we've been worried after defeats and he's said that it happens and we'll bounce back and be alright. When you hear that from someone like him, everyone takes it on board."

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is likely to search for another striker to bolster his ranks this summer, but Terry hopes the club holds a place for Drogba.

"Let's hope he's in the camp next season. He's got a massive part to play on and off the field," Terry said. "He's shown that on the field but off the field he really has got a massive part to play."

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