Chelsea roundup: Terry tribute cancelled by club; Blues compete with Liverpool for Gotze

Chelsea have cancelled the tribute they had planned for departing club captain John Terry after the last match of the season against Leicester City on Sunday, according to reports in the English media.

John Terry announced earlier this year that he expected to leave Chelsea in the summer with the club not offering to extend his contract, which runs out at the end of the season.

Various reports from the media suggested that the Blues were still mulling over a potential contract offer for the 35-year-old, with incoming manager Antonio Conte thought to be key to the former England captain’s future.

In recent developments, English newspaper The Sun claim that Conte wants John Terry at Stamford Bridge, as he wants an experienced player to help him out with running the day to day activities at the club. As such, the club have reportedly cancelled the farewell tribute that was planned for the legendary defender.

Conte has reportedly had some disagreements with the Chelsea board over the support staff he will be bringing to the club. The move to keep Terry at the club could work out well for Conte as he needs as much help as he can get to take control of a dressing room that is known to have revolted against former managers.

Blues join race for Gotze

Bayern Munich playmaker Mario Gotze has been told that he does not feature in incoming manager Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for next season and is all set to be sold off in the summer transfer window.

Ancelotti had reportedly informed his former club Chelsea that Bayern are looking to sell Gotze a few weeks back, according to The Sun.

Gotze has been frustrated with the lack of opportunities at the Bavarian club and reportedly wants a move out of Munich. His former club Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, where his former manager Jurgen Klopp is now in charge, are said to the favourites to land his signature. Now however, Chelsea have also joined the hunt for the 23-year-old Germany international, with Conte giving the green light for a Gotze bid.

Bayern Munich are set to sell Gotze if they receive an offer around the region of £35 million. Conte is known to favour box-to-box midfielders more than creative playmakers like the former Dortmund man, and it will be interesting to see how the German is accommodated into the Italian’s system if the transfer goes through.