LONDON -- There has been no meeting between Chelsea and John Terry to discuss his future at the club beyond this season, sources close to both parties have told ESPN FC.
A report in The Times on Tuesday said that the Chelsea hierarchy had informed Terry that this season will be his last as a player at Stamford Bridge, and were formulating plans to offer him another role at the club he has represented professionally since 1998 and led as captain since 2004.
But sources close to Chelsea and Terry have told ESPN FC that there has been no such communication between the two parties, and the expectation remains that a firm decision on the 36-year-old's future will be made later in the season.
A public standoff over the issue of a contract extension for Terry overshadowed the second half of last season at Stamford Bridge, after the Chelsea captain told journalists that he expected to leave the club following an FA Cup victory over MK Dons at the end of January.
Terry had met with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia at Cobham earlier in the month and been told that no new deal was on the table, though the club subsequently said that "channels of dialogue" would remain open with their captain.
Antonio Conte's appointment as head coach in April facilitated a resolution to the saga and the following month Terry was called to another meeting with Granovskaia and Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck to be offered a one-year extension on reduced financial terms, which he accepted.
Terry has been consistent in his desire to continue playing beyond this season, but the veteran defender's body is proving increasingly vulnerable to injury and he has not started a Premier League match since straining ankle ligaments against Swansea City in September.
Chelsea have surged to the top of the table with nine consecutive victories in Terry's absence and, in an interview with former teammate William Gallas for SFR Sport last month, the 36-year-old said that he is happy to play a squad role if it means the Blues go on to reclaim the Premier League title.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Conte said of the reports regarding Terry's future: "John, knowing him very well in this period... I'm pleased a lot to know, also, the man and not only the player.
"I think, I repeat, he's a really important player for us. If he plays or if he doesn't play, he remains our captain.
"It's important for him to send out the right message in the changing room, to send the right spirit of this club.
"For me, I hope to have him available to play, but also in this moment it's important to have him in this role.
"He's injured, but he's helping us in these games, in every game... He comes with us, home and away, staying with us, transferring the right message. It's very positive, very positive."
Asked if he has a future as a coach at Chelsea, Conte replied: "Now it's better to be focused on the present. I don't like looking a lot forward.
"John is able to do a different role in football, but now it's important to be focused and continue to think about him playing, because we need him."