Chelsea maintain that they want the next permanent manager to have the final say on whether or not Terry is offered a contract and that will remain the case, regardless of Zouma’s fitness.
The absence of Zouma could even be bad news for Terry, as he and Gary Cahill had been exposed at the start of this season and a poor end to the season by the pair will only reaffirm the opinion of some within Stamford Bridge that the former England captain’s best days are behind him.
While Terry has unequivocally got the Chelsea fans on his side, his public comments have not done him any favours with the club’s hierarchy who had wanted negotiations to be conducted in private.
Chelsea will redouble their efforts to sign John Stones from Everton, although Manchester City appear favourites to land the 21-year-old with United and Barcelona also interested.
The Londoners will also assess their options within the club, with 19-year-old Christensen a player that has impressed on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Christensen is currently coming to the end of the first season of his two-season loan at Mönchengladbach and the German club have already publicly stated their desire to sign him permanently.
But, following impressive performances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, Chelsea will not sanction the sale of Christensen and could even attempt to take him back 12 months early.
Denmark international Christensen, though, has made it clear he is happy at Mönchengladbach and would not want to return to Chelsea just to sit on the substitutes’ bench.
“I am very happy,” said Christensen. “I will give it my best in the two years here and see what the future has in store for me. It's of no use to return [to Chelsea] if I don't get any playing time there. A lot can happen.”
- Telegraph