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Terry: Let me stay, Chelsea

John Terry claimed Chelsea's added-time winner against Everton © Getty Images

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John Terry has urged Chelsea to extend his career at the club with his contract set to expire in the summer.

Chelsea secured a crucial 1-0 win over Everton to remaintop of the Premier League in Saturday's lunch-time kick-off, with Terry providing the goal in added time.

"It's a long time I've been here. I'm loving every minute and always have done," Terry told BT Sport after the match.

"I'd certainly love to stay but that's down to the club. You'd have to ask the club that question. I can't answer that for them."

Terry has been left in limbo over a new deal at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea making it clear they will only offer one-year extensions to players over the age of 30.

Jose Mourinho is reportedly trying to convince the club to ensure Terry, who has been one of his side's key performers this season, but his potential availability as a free agent has led to him being linked with some of Europe's richer clubs and a final big pay day.

Terry, 33, has long been the poster boy for Chelsea's academy, being the only Englishman to graduate from it and make a big name for himself in the senior team in recent memory.

He is also revered by the Chelsea fans, who have backed him through a career which has been littered with controversy on and off the pitch.

And they welcomed his return to the team after injury on Saturday as he helped the Premier League leaders keep and clean and scored the winner.

Frank Lampard tried to claim the late strike, asking Terry if he had actually got a touch on his free-kick into the box. However Terry insisted he had diverted the ball onto Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and into the net.

He said: "It was a great ball from Lamps and I'm just really happy to have got a touch on it. I think it got a touch off Howard in the end as well.

"Recently dropping points away to West Brom, we stressed before the game it was important to pick up three points at home. The manager said, '12 games to go', and it's looking very tight, but we needed to win to put pressure on the teams after us. We're top of the league and sitting well, it's down to the others to catch us.

"We're delighted with the win. Everton are a very good side playing well under Roberto Martinez. It was a tough game today.

"The manager was stressing from the side to keep passing and to keep our rhythm. He said not to get dragged into playing long balls as it would only suit them. They were defending very well. We tried to keep playing them and we did that."

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