Mata: Jose one of the best

Juan Mata would welcome the appointment of Jose Mourinho as Chelsea's new manager and says they must aspire to win the Premier League.



Mourinho is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the Spanish league season and is expected to return to Stamford Bridge, where the managerial post is vacant following the end of Rafa Benitez's interim spell in charge.



Mata arrived at the club after Mourinho's departure but is well aware of everything the Portuguese has achieved and would be happy to see him handed the reins.

"Jose is one of the best," Mata said. "He won everything in every country he was - in Portugal, in Italy, in London with Chelsea, and in Spain as well.



"We don't know really what is going to happen but if he comes he is welcome because he is one of the best and Chelsea always want to be a top side.



"If he comes we are going to be happy to have him."



He said: "What I know is that Madrid is a massive club with a lot of pressure on them, and it shouldn't be easy to be manager of Real Madrid.



"If he comes we will try and do our best with him, or whoever, to win the title, because one challenge for me will be to win the Premier League."

Mourinho has faced criticism during his time at Real Madrid and will finish this season without a major trophy, but Mata believes he could help Chelsea challenge for major honours next year.

Courtois has faith in Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois believes that Chelsea's youth policy will give him a chance of a successful future at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian goalkeeper has spent the last two seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid since joining Chelsea from Racing Genk in June 2011.



The 21-year-old has already played for his country at senior level and is seen as a long-term replacement for Petr Cech, but has earned glowing reviews during his stint at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.



He said:

"Chelsea have the young players that maybe in two or three years' time can win everything.



"I signed with Chelsea, not just because it is a big club but also because of its commitment to young players. I want to be part of Chelsea history."



However, Courtois is open-minded as to whether or not he will get the chance to impress with his parent club.



He said: "Chelsea have always been very fair with me and they are also smart people and they know that I need to play.



"I don't know where that will be but I do know I have proved myself in the two years I have been here (in Madrid)."

City stun Chelsea in US

Manchester City fought back from 3-0 down to beat Chelsea 4-3 in a thrilling friendly at a sold-out Busch Stadium in St Louis.

City, who confirmed this week that they have acquired a Major League Soccer franchise, fell behind to goals from Demba Ba, Cesar Azpilicueta and Oscar.

But Javi Garcia began the fightback, Edin Dzeko struck twice and Micah Richards grabbed a dramatic late winner in front of a crowd of 48,263.

Whilst the match did not quite have the intensity of a Premier League match, it was far from half-hearted.

City made all the early running and Chelsea's opener was against the run of play, Joe Hart misjudging Juan Mata's cross and allowing Ba to nod home.

Petr Cech kept out a long-range Yaya Toure effort and Carlos Tevez went close with an overhead kick.

But on the stroke of half-time Karim Rekik was adjudged to have bundled over Mata and Azpilicueta converted from the spot.

Just after half-time City gave the ball away in front of their own area and Oscar danced through to take the ball round replacement goalkeeper Richard Wright.

Then came City's magnificent fightback. Garcia turned in from a corner moments after substitute goalkeeper Jamal Blackman came on and Dzeko then finished expertly from a beautifully weighted James Milner pass.

Blackman then somehow kept out Milner's close range volley, then did superbly to keep out another Dzeko attempt.

But the equaliser came on 85 when Tevez slipped in Dzeko and Richards turned in Garcia's nod-down.

The two teams will meet again at Yankee Stadium in New York on Saturday.

Lampard reckons Benitez was a success at Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard reckons Rafa Benitez was a success in his time at Stamford Bridge.

Despite opposition from a section of the Chelsea support regarding his appointment, Benitez confounded his critics by guiding the team to Europa League glory and a third-place finish in the Premier League.



Lampard, whose form under Benitez was rewarded with a one-year contract extension, admits the former Liverpool boss was thorough in his approach.

"He's a professional bloke. He prepared very well for games. And it was a difficult situation for him as well," Lampard said.



"As interim manager it was always going to be quite difficult because we all knew it was only to the end of the season.





"So there was no planning, no long-term relationships were going to be built. So, in that respect, he did a good job because we got the end result - success."



Despite that, though, Lampard did not grow close to Benitez on a personal level.



"There are certain managers you build relationships with and feel closer to," Lampard told. "He's not that kind of bloke.



"Other managers draw a bit of a line and keep it that way. Rafa's more like that.



"He was not really the sort of manager you could sit and talk with."

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Chelsea set for striker talks

Chelsea could this week open talks with Wilfried Bony as the Vitesse Arnhem star will arrive in England to find a new club.



The 24-year-old striker, who has just finished as top scorer in the Dutch top-flight with 31 goals for Vitesse, is widely expected to leave this summer and has been attracting attention from around Europe, with Chelsea among the clubs known to be keen.



The likes of Liverpool and West Ham have all also been linked with Bony in the past, while Russian giants Anzhi Makhachkala have already made at least one big-money offer for the Ivory Coast ace.



Now there are claims that Bony and his agent are set to travel to England this week to speak to several interested parties and attempt to hammer out a move to the Premier League.



It is thought Vitesse rate Bony at around £15million and will entertain offers for the talented front man, who has made it clear he wants to leave in search of a new challenge.



Chelsea will be in the hunt for at least one new attacker this summer, with Edinson Cavani and Andre Schurrle also known to be high on their wanted list.

Benitez reveals why Fernando Torres has struggled at Chelsea

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Rafa Benitez discussed Fernando Torres and his role at Chelsea.

“I think he can be good. I’m not sure he will be at the same level that he was when he was at Liverpool with us. But he’s improving his fitness. He has been working so hard in the gym, and his pace is nearly there. He’s very strong. So he can beat defenders running, and now it’s just confidence.”

Just confidence. Heard that one before.

“He has to find the timing for his runs and the right movements, and he will be much better. How good? Can he be at the same level [as in the past]? I’m not sure. It depends on a proper preseason, training with the team, doing a lot of the things that he was doing this year. We’ll see how he feels at the beginning of next season.”

Fernando Torres has scored 22 goals – twice as many as he managed last season – in 63 matches for Chelsea in the 2012/13 season. Valuable goals, too. His strike vs Brentford in the FA Cup to force a replay, and his goals to open the scoring in the Europa League final, to name but two.

Benitez: Job done at Chelsea

Rafael Benitez declared "job done" at Stamford Bridge as he prepares for his final match as Chelsea manager against Everton on Sunday.

After seven months in charge of the Blues, the Spaniard has led Chelsea back to the Champions League as well as leading them to Europa League glory on Wednesday.



After months of criticism while in charge, Benitez said: "It doesn't matter what some people will say. I think the job is done."



And Benitez maintains that his successor, whether Mourinho or not, will inherit a vastly-improved team.

"I think maybe the next manager will have some experience here, too, so I don't need to give him any advice," said Benitez, again suggesting he believes Mourinho will be in charge next term.



"It's a stronger team. The players they have been improving and they have more experience.



"The team will be much better and the new manager, I think, will have an easier task because he will have more quality, more experience and he will start in pre-season. That is also an advantage."



Benitez has had numerous critics since his November appointment after Champions League-winning boss Roberto Di Matteo's departure, not least the supporters.



"You cannot convince everyone," the former Liverpool boss added.



"I've been consistent in my message. I was trying to do my best every single day. I did it the other day and we won.



"I did it yesterday and I will try to do it on Sunday and after in America [for next week's post-season friendlies with Manchester City]."



Benitez has no regrets about taking up the job and highlighted qualification for the Champions League, lifting the Europa League trophy and scoring eight goals against Aston Villa in December as his most memorable moments at Stamford Bridge.



He said: "I am a manager and I like to manage a top side. Chelsea is a top side so I was quite pleased with this option.



"I think we played very good football, very attractive football during the whole season.



"We have scored 145 goals. That is the record in the history of the club. It's quite important.



"As a manager you have to be satisfied. A lot of very good memories."

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Luiz: 'Chelsea can win PL next year'

Chelsea defender David Luiz has insisted that the Blues have the quality to win next season's Premier League.



The Stamford Bridge outfit have struggled to compete with Manchester United for the league title this season, but after lifting the Champions League and Europa League trophies in successive seasons, Luiz believes that his team have the quality to compete for the title.



The 26-year-old told reporters:

"We need to win titles. This is a big club. Always you have the opportunity to play big games, play important competitions, so next year Chelsea want more European titles, want the Premier League, want everything.



"The team has a lot of quality that's why we won two big trophies in two years.



"The Premier League this season was a little bit bad but I think this team has a lot of quality for the Premier League next year."

The Brazilian international has impressed for Chelsea this season, scoring seven oals in 56 appearances

Lampard 'considered leaving'

Frank Lampard says he considered other 'options' before signing a one-year contract extension with Chelsea.



The 34-year-old's existing contract was due to run out in June of this year and there was speculation that he could leave the club.

And Lampard said: "From January onwards, I was allowed to look at other options. I don't want to get into all the behind the scenes stuff but at the same time I wanted to get my head down at Chelsea and show that I could still do it, remain fit and contribute.

"Talks with the club had been ongoing, though, and it wasn't something we wanted to throw out there while important games were going on."

With Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez's time at the club coming to an end this weekend after their final game of the season against Everton, Lampard denied he wanted to find out who the next manager was before signing a contract.

"I didn't make any enquiries nor were guarantees made to me about who the next manager would be," Lampard said.

"Because we all read the press we are all aware of what might happen and I have the faith that the club will make the right decision. It wouldn't be right for me to say who the next manager should be.

"This is a great club with great players and the idea of certain managers arriving does excite me."

Jose Mourinho is the bookies favourite to replace Benitez and Chelsea's record goalscorer, Lampard, says the Portuguese's CV speaks for itself.



Lampard said: "There's a determination and a drive in Jose Mourinho which stands him out above the rest. He went from Chelsea to Inter Milan and created something amazing. He then went to Real Madrid and won the league.

"If he did come back here or wherever, I know he'd have so much desire to make it work. He would be a great success"




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Benfica vs. Chelsea | Europa League Final preview

Europa League Final - Benfica vs. Chelsea

Kick - Off 19:45

Date: 15 May 2013

Venues: In Amsterdam

Team News

Benfica

• Maxi Pereira is suspended for Benfica, meaning Lorenzo Malgarejo will likely come in to replace the Uruguay international.


• Other than that, head coach Jorge Jesus has no further injury problems ahead of the Europa League final encounter with Chelsea.

Chelsea

• Rafael Benitez will be without John Terry and Eden Hazard after both limped off during the 2-1 win over Aston Villa with an ankle and hamstring injury, respectively.


• The Chelsea manager is also without long term absentee Oriol Romeu, while John Obi Mikel and Ryan Bertrand are both doubts.


• Ashley Cole will come in at left back after missing the second leg tie with Basel due to being suspended and Demba Ba is ineligible

Match Fact

Benfica succumbed to their first Liga Sagres defeat of the season on Saturday after falling to a 2-1 loss to FC Porto, seeing their title rivals leapfrog them in the table in the process.

Head coach Jorge Jesus is without the suspended Maxi Pereira, meaning Lorenzo Melgarejo will deputise at left back as the Portuguese side look to end their current run of six straight European final defeats.

Rafael Benitez will look to end the campaign on a high as Chelsea aim to become the first team to win UEFA's top-two European competitions in reverse order in successive campaigns.

However, the Blues manager will be without John Terry and Eden Hazard through injury, while Frank Lampard will likely drop to the bench after breaking Bobby Tambling's Chelsea record in the win over Aston Villa.

Ramires and David Luiz look set to anchor the midfield as the pairing come up against their former employers in Amsterdam.

The last time these two teams met, Chelsea came out on top 3-1 on aggregate in the Champions League last season, although the west London side will have to be wary of Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo, who has scored in six of his team's last 10 games against English opposition.

While Benitez has a number of injury worries, the strength in depth and quality to come off the bench will likely see Chelsea secure Europa League glory on Wednesday night.

Heart beating video!!!





Missing player for Benfica:

• Maxi Pereira

Missing players for Chelsea:

• Eden Hazard


• Oriol Romeu


• John Terry


• Demba Ba


• John Obi Mikel (Doubtful)


• Ryan Bertrand (Doubtful)

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Hazard out of final

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard has been ruled out of Wednesday's Europa League final with Benfica with a hamstring injury.

Hazard was taken off during Saturday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa as a precaution but despite travelling with the squad to Amsterdam on Tuesday, has continued to struggle with the problem.

Captain John Terry, who was also withdrawn early from the Villa Park clash with an ankle injury, will continue to be monitored.

"Hazard will not be available," interim boss Rafael Benitez told a press conference. "John, still we will try and see how he feels. We will try to see tomorrow."

Terry is pondering further disappointment after missing last season's Champions League final win in Munich through suspension but has often found himself behind David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic in the pecking order under Benitez.

The Blues' 25-man squad includes John Obi Mikel, who has missed the last four matches with a hip problem, as well as left-sided Ryan Bertrand following his recent knee injury.

Frank Lampard, who became the club's record goalscorer by netting twice in Birmingham, could be deployed in a deep midfield role alongside Luiz, with Ramires pushed further forward alongside Juan Mata and Oscar.

Oriol Romeu, who has not featured since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in December, also flew out with the Blues, along with Nathan Ake, who did not play in Monday night's FA Youth Cup final second leg.

Senegal forward Demba Ba is cup-tied having played earlier in the competition for Newcastle so Fernando Torres should start again up front.

Benfica, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after losing their lead in the Portuguese league to title rivals Porto in their top-of-the-table clash Saturday.

The Lisbon giants are one point behind the defending champions with a game to play after the 2-1 defeat.

Coach Jorge Jesus will have to try and lift his men's morale after they conceded in injury time in Porto after also being beaten Europa League semi-finalists two years ago.

Luiz: I'm living the dream

David Luiz has said that he is fulfilling his dreams with Chelsea. The 26-year-old Brazil defender, or midfielder, has been a key component of the Blues side which has reached tomorrow's UEFA Europa League final against his former club Benfica, where he hopes to realise his ambition of more silverware.

Luiz, who won the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in his first full season at Stamford Bridge, said: "When I was young, I dreamt one day of playing for a big club. Now I have the opportunity.



"I dreamt of playing in big games - now I have another opportunity. I dreamt of playing in finals - now I have another opportunity. I'm so happy with this."



Luiz is thrilled to be playing against his former club, too. His Blues team-mate Ramires is also a former Benfica player. "I have a lot of love for Benfica but inside the game it's for Chelsea," added Luiz, who moved to London from Lisbon in January 2011.

It will be a magnificent day and a difficult game for us. Chelsea have an opportunity to win one more European title, so let's do it.

David Luiz on the Europa League final

"It's naturally emotional because it's a final. Everyone wants to win, I want to win. Benfica, for sure, want to win. It will be a magnificent day and a difficult game for us. Chelsea have an opportunity to win one more European title, so let's do it."



Luiz has been deployed at centre-half and in defensive midfield this term, but wherever he plays he has influenced matches. The Brazilian, who scored in each leg of the semi-final with Basle, said: "I just try my best every game and in the final, I'll do everything. If I get another opportunity to score a goal, I'm happy with this."



Asked if he has a position of preference, Luiz said: "In the starting XI. I enjoy playing football. I love football. I try my best in all the positions. When you're open to learn things, you can change positions, you can learn more and you can improve your game."



Luiz attributed his enhanced influence this term to being more mature and he has played nearly every game of the campaign. The Europa League final will be the 68th competitive match of the season, but Luiz is not feeling any ill effects. He said: "There's no time to be tired. I'm so fresh and I want to win."

John Terry and Eden Hazard travel to Amsterdam

John Terry, Eden Hazard and John Mikel Obi are part of a 25-man travelling party to Holland for the Europa League final against Benfica.

Both Terry and Hazard were withdrawn at Aston Villa on Saturday but join the squad that will train at the Amsterdam Arena on Tuesday evening ahead of Wednesday's match, while Mikel has missed the last four matches with a hip problem.



Ryan Bertrand is also on the trip despite a recent knee injury, meaning he will be hoping to complete a personal European double having made his Champions League debut in last season's final in Munich.



Oriol Romeu, who has not featured since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in December, also joins the trip, along with Nathan Ake who did not play in last night's FA Youth Cup final second leg.



Demba Ba travels, but he is cup-tied having played earlier in the competition for Newcastle.



Full squad

Petr Cech

Ross Turnbull

Hilario

Jamal Blackman

Paulo Ferreira

Cesar Azpilicueta

John Terry

Branislav Ivanovic

Gary Cahill

David Luiz

Ashley Cole

Ryan Bertrand

Ramires

Frank Lampard

John Mikel Obi

Oriol Romeu

Nathan Ake

Victor Moses

Marko Marin

Yossi Benayoun

Juan Mata

Eden Hazard

Oscar

Fernando Torres

Demba Ba

Mata loving London life

Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has been a big hit since making the move to London from Valencia in August 2011 - and the 25-year-old feels right at home in the 'Big Smoke'.

Mata, who lives in an apartment on the banks of the river Thames, is a big fan of the English capital and told  exactly what he loves about London.

"Since I came I felt like was living at home in this amazing city," he said. "I always wanted to live in London. It's one of the best cities in the world.

"It's much bigger than I expected - like different cities together in one. It has different parts and there are a lot of places to go.

"I'd rather go to small places and streets like in Notting Hill and Soho rather than Big Ben or the London Eye - I like the east Brick Lane and Borough market.

The Spain international also insists the British weather has failed to put a dampener on his love of London life, adding: "I grew up in Asturias in northern Spain and it's very much the same weather!"

Mata is also quick to reveal another of the reasons he came to London - Spain and Chelsea team-mate Fernando Torres.

"He (Torres) was calling me, trying to get me here," Mata added. "He knew I would enjoy it here. I am grateful to him - he was an important part to why I came."

But it is football that is Mata's main reason for being in London - and he is loving life in England as much on the pitch as he is off it.

"It's been incredible," he said. "It was my first season in another country and we won the Champions League and the FA Cup. It was amazing. I learnt a lot and grew as a person.

"Winning Chelsea player of the year - and being nominated by the Chelsea supporters - it made my year completely perfect. Winning those trophies and being named player of the year - it was a perfect season for me.

"One thing that makes English football different is the support - you can feel it, you can smell it," Mata said. "Even when you play away, you don't feel alone. I think it's the one of the reasons why English football is so special."

Chelsea receive transfer boost

Chelsea fans are getting more and more giddy as the end of the season approaches and the latest claim from the Daily Star is not going to change this mood.



The club are already preparing for not only the departure of the interim one Rafael Benitez but the long awaited return of their Special One Jose Mourinho and now have been placed at the front of the cue to sign sensational Borussia Dortmund forward Robert Lewandowski.



With all the talk about Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani, we let Lewandowski slip under the radar – that is until he made what Gareth Bale did to Maicon look positively like child’s play in his destruction of Real Madrid scoring four goals and becoming the first player since Lionel Messi scored five against Bayer Leverkusen to get a 10/10 in L’Equipe’s player ratings – no wonder Jose Mourinho wants the Pole!



Now it is claimed that the forward’s current club Borussia Dortmund are desperate to stop him joining rivals Bayern Munich after relations considerably soured after their ill-timed purchase of Mario Gotze and now will try to push through a move to Chelsea just to spite Bayern.



Given Chelsea are willing to offer Kevin de Bruyne as part of the deal that should act as something of a sweetener given how well the player has done on loan at Werder Bremen this term this could well push the Blues ahead of Manchester United in the transfer race to land the former Lech Poznan star.

Chelsea star sets target

Chelsea attacker Juan Mata is confident that they can finish in third place at the end of the season after their 1-0 win over Manchester United.



The result means that Tottenham Hotspur have to beat the Blues on Wednesday in order to stop them securing a top-four finish in goal difference.



Vital win



Speaking to Sky Sports, Mata said: “It was a very, very important victory for us, it was like a final and we have another great game to come next week, so we will try to win and get closer to our aim, which is third.”



The Spaniard, who has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, and he thinks that he has plenty more goals in his locker.



“It is true that I am scoring more goals than ever and I’m really happy. The only thing I want is to keep scoring and keep up my assists to help my team until the end.”



Unbeaten finish



The 25-year-old is confident that his side will end up playing in the Champions League next season.



“We have three more Premier League games to play and the only the thing we want is to win every game because I think Chelsea deserve to play in the Champions League next season.



“If we play like we did today then I think we can do it.”



As well as pressing for a top-four finish, Chelsea could be in line for European silverware at the end of the season as they face Benfica in the final of the Europa League in Amsterdam.

Rafa eyes Europa glory

Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez has urged his side to take their last opportunity to claim a trophy after reaching the Europa League final.



The Blues battled back from a goal behind to beat Swiss side FC Basel 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday and seal a 5-2 aggregate victory.

The London club will now face Portuguese side Benfica in the final at the Amsterdam Arena on May 15, their second successive European final.

After defeats in the Club World Cup final, Community Shield and Super Cup this season, Benitez hopes his players can take their last chance to win silverware this campaign.

"We have one more opportunity to win a big title," he told ITV. "We have lost three finals this season.

"I am really pleased for them and everyone here. I think we have had a good atmosphere in the side. The players are working hard.

"To be fair we had two clear chances first half and we failed to take them. They then score and we had to react. Credit to the players in the second half. They were on top of them and we scored three goals. We controlled the game.

"At half-time we agreed about that. We showed the concentration and mentality at the start of the half. We killed off the game. We have to think of that for the future."

Looking towards the final, Benitez said: "It'll be tough because Benfica are a very, very dangerous team and hard to play against, but at least we are there.

"With the commitment and the quality, we'll have a chance for sure."

John Terry did not start the second-leg and Benitez would not be drawn on whether the defender would be in the starting line-up for the final, having been suspended for the Champions League decider in Munich last year.

"I don't know because we have too many games to play before," said Benitez.

"The main thing for me is to enjoy today and be ready for the challenge of Manchester United, and then Tottenham.

"One game at a time, and concentrate on the job in hand."

Basel boss Murat Yakin was impressed by Chelsea and thinks they can go on and win the final.

"They have the team," he said. "They're really clever, experienced, they know how to win things.

"I hope my team have given them really good preparation to go into that final and, hopefully, win it.

"Chelsea showed how clever they are, and it's the little details that catch you out.

"We need that bit more experience to make the step up. The little details make the difference."


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Mata: Benitez is a great manager

Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has hailed Rafael Benitez, insisting his fellow Spaniard is a "great" manager.



The 53-year-old was appointed by the London club on an interim basis after UEFA Champions League-winning boss Roberto Di Matteo was relieved of his duties in November.



But his arrival was poorly received by a large section of the club's support, with the former Liverpool coach being roundly booed throughout his first few fixtures at the helm.



However, with Chelsea's bid for a top-four finish and UEFA Europa League glory having picked up pace of late, Mata believes his compatriot deserves praise.



"Rafa is a manager who has had great seasons at every club that he was at," he said. "And since he came he's just tried to do his best with the team, analysing the rivals, getting ready for every game and trying to do his best for the team.



"So for me and for the players I think he's a great manager. We are now at the end of the season trying to be in the third position so that's where we're aiming and having a chance to win a trophy so maybe the season at the end will be good for us and for Rafa as well and that will be because of his job."



The Spain international went on to lament his side's failure to progress beyond the group stages when defending their UEFA Champions League crown this term.



"We were out from the group and every time I watched a game on TV from the Champions League I think it's a shame," he added.



"But on the other hand, I would rather be positive and think we have a chance to win another trophy as we did last season.



"So obviously to get out in the first group was a disappointment for us and the club but suddenly we have a chance. So you never know until the end and you now have another chance to win a big trophy."

John Terry considers England return

Chelsea captain John Terry believes he is still one of the world's leading defenders - and it is understood he has not fully closed the door on an England return despite his acrimonious departure from international football.



The 32-year-old's influence at Stamford Bridge has waned this season as fitness concerns have seen him overtaken in the pecking order.



Yet Terry maintains he is as good as ever and is believed to be prepared to consider making himself available for England once more despite being stripped of the captaincy after being charged with racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand.



Any U-turn would be dependent on personalities in and around the squad, with Terry's resentment towards the Football Association evident last week when he rejected chairman David Bernstein's attempt to shake hands at the Champions League trophy handover.



Terry was cleared at Westminster Magistrates Court of making a racist insult to Anton Ferdinand, brother of his former England team-mate Rio, but was charged by the FA and banned for four matches.



Terry's belief in his ability remains as he enters the final year of his contract and he is prepared to wait for Chelsea to initiate discussions over a new deal.



Following the 2-1 Europa League semi-final win at Basle, Terry was asked if he is still as good a player after a decade of repelling the world's leading strikers. "Yes, I personally think that," he said.

"This year's been really frustrating for me, not playing and picking up the (knee) injury (against Liverpool in November).



"Initially it looked (like an absence of) two or three weeks, it turned out to be three or four months.



"I don't want to talk out of turn, but I'd love to stay at Chelsea. I'm happy to leave things until they come to me.



"I've got another year left and I'll definitely be here next year.



"It would be nice to get some silverware, get the season out of the way and maybe talk contracts in the summer."

The silverware available to Chelsea is the Europa League trophy and it is that tournament that has given Terry his opportunity - the defender described it as his "lifeline" - as Rafael Benitez has rotated his options in a congested calendar of fixtures.



Terry recognises he is not in the strongest position to go in search of a new contract and that, like Frank Lampard, who could leave this summer, time is catching up with him.



But whatever the future holds, Terry cannot envisage himself playing against Chelsea.

"It might be another year, or another two, I don't know," added Terry, who reiterated his support for Benitez's rotation system.



"It depends on my fitness and me staying in a good enough condition to impress the guys who make those decisions.



"I have got another year left which I will honour and respect, regardless if it's a yes or a no.



"Naturally it would be disappointing (to leave), but at the same time you understand that you can't be around forever.



"Where I would go after that it certainly wouldn't be in England. I couldn't do that to Chelsea or the fans. That's just not me."

Terry suggested the uncertainty over who will be Chelsea's manager next season has contributed to the doubts over his own future.



Terry does not anticipate interim boss Benitez will stay, even if Chelsea progress at Basle's expense next week and go on to win the Europa League final in Amsterdam on May 15.

"He's personally said he's here to the summer and that's it," Terry added.



"Whether or not he will (stay) I don't know, but it certainly won't do him any harm winning it."

While the clock may be ticking on his own position, Terry knows it is imperative Chelsea achieve their second short-term target - a return to the Champions League - as their pursuit of a top-four place continues against Swansea on Sunday.



Terry suggested the Europa League has had an adverse impact domestically, but that Chelsea are desperate to finish the season on a high.

"It's not served us well in the league," he said.



"It's obviously not where we want to be, but at the same time we're in it and we've had a lot of long journeys and travelled to some tough places.



"We are in it to win it. It's on our agenda as well as coming third or fourth and cementing that Champions League spot next year, which is essential to the football club."

Demba Ba back for Chelsea

Demba Ba is likely to return up front as Chelsea continue their pursuit of a top four place in the Barclays Premier League against Swansea on Sunday.



Ba is ineligible for European competition and is set to replace Fernando Torres, who started the Europa League semi-final first leg at Basle, while Eden Hazard is in line to face the Swans again after being sent off for kicking a ball boy during February's Capital One Cup semi-final between the teams.



Gary Cahill was an unused substitute in the win in Switzerland and could start in defence following his six-week absence with a knee injury, with Oriol Romeu (knee) the only definite absentee.



Provisional squad: Cech, Turnbull, Hilario, Ivanovic, Cole, Bertrand, Luiz, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Oscar, Mata, Mikel, Moses, Lampard, Hazard, Torres, Benayoun, Marin, Ake, Ferreira.