Chelsea Captain John Terry Says He May Retire After Leaving Team In Summer

John Terry has revealed he may retire after his season with Chelsea ends this summer.

Chelsea Captain John Terry May Retire After Sunderland Game

The 36-year-old defender scored Chelsea’s first goal in the 22nd minute of Monday’s 4-3 victory over Watford at Stamford Bridge, his 716th appearance for the 2017 Premier League champion Blues.

Terry said after Monday’s win that he has not discounted the possibility that he may end his career as Chelsea’s captain after this Premier League campaign, which ends Sunday when the Blues host Sunderland.

“I’ve not ruled out Sunday being my last game and retiring from football,” Terry told Sky Sports. “If the right offer comes along I will sit down and consider it with my family – whether that’s here or abroad.

“Genuinely I haven’t made any decisions yet and I’m evaluating all my options at the moment.”

The England international has played for Chelsea since 1995, having started as a youth player before becoming a senior star in 1998.

The Blues have tied a record for victories in a season with 29. Antonio Conte’s team, which his playing its first season under the Italian, will also seek its 16th major title in the May 27 FA Cup final at Arsenal.

When Conte was asked if he believed Terry should retire, the manager said the defender should not quit under any circumstances. The Italian added, however, that he would support Terry whether he chose to stay with Chelsea or play for another team, and that Stamford Bridge would always welcome him with open arms.

“No. Absolutely [not],” Conte said of Terry’s potential retirement. “Otherwise he stays here. John wants to continue to play. I wish for him and his family the best. Chelsea will be always his home.

“When you arrive at this moment and your heart, your head and your body tell you continue to play, because you want to play, it’s right.”

Terry admitted he knows saying goodbye to fans during Sunday’s game against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge will be emotionally challenging should he go through with his plan.

“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “Tonight was tough but next week I’m going to be in bits.”

Terry, who also served as England’s captain (2006-2010, 2011-2012) is Chelsea’s most decorated player, with this year’s Premier League title securing him a fifth medal for the triumph.

The London-born central defender has also helped the Blues win five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League. He is one of five players to have recorded over 500 appearances for Chelsea and is also the squad’s all-time scoring defenseman.

Terry, the 2005 PFA Players’ Player of the Year, also became the Blues’ first captain to win the FA Cup in 2007 at the new Wembley Stadium after Chelsea defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the final.

“If I could have written my story, this is how it would have panned out – to go having been crowned champions, and to leave the club in great hands with the manager, the owner and the players we have here,” Terry added. “It is going to be sad and emotional for me on Sunday because I’ve been here 22 years – but I’m delighted for the experiences and opportunities I have been given.”

Chelsea also secured their sixth English title with a 1-0 victory at West Brom.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: John Terry of Chelsea shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)