In all likelihood, John Terry may have made one of his last appearances in a Chelsea shirt in the 4-1 win over Peterborough at the weekend.
The club captain was sent off in that FA Cup 3rd round game, and even though the Blues unsuccessfully appealed the decision, Antonio Conte must have made up his mind on the centre-back now.
Conte’s back three of Gary Cahill, David Luiz, and Cesar Azpilicueta have been in fine form, while Kurt Zouma is also now available.
All this means Terry is going to have very little role to play between now and the end of the season when his contract expires.
It’s still unclear what his next step will be, but Sky Sports think they may have found what he’ll be doing, at least until the summer.
They are reporting that Bournemouth have enquired about taking the former England skipper on loan after Chelsea recalled Nathan Ake from them.
That will have come as a big blow as Ake has been instrumental this season, with Bournemouth sitting in ninth. Terry is at the other end of his career, but he would at least be able to offer some vital experience.
Eddie Howe may also be keen for the same reason he signed Jack Wilshere – to give his players a boost by allowing them to play alongside such a big name.
Wilshere hasn’t set the South Coast alight, and presumably neither would Terry, but if Howe simply wants to make up the numbers, then Terry could be another positive addition.
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