Chelsea Transfer News: John Terry Lined Up for Qatar Move, Top Rumours

Chelsea captain John Terry is being chased by Blues legend Gianfranco Zola, who wants to sign the defender for Qatari side Al Arabi. 

Jack de Menezes of the Independent said Zola—who took over the Middle East team in July—could offer the former England skipper a way out of Stamford Bridge after losing his guaranteed starting place under coach Jose Mourinho, and he has admitted his connections with Terry could facilitate a transfer:

"

John Terry is a big player and Al Arabi is interested in big players so we will see what happens.

There is a chance because it is one of the places where people want to go. The quality of life is very high here.

There are clubs that pay well for the players to come so I wouldn't be surprised if I see John Terry playing in this country maybe next year, maybe in two years I don't know exactly when.

The connection is easy me and John played together and have a very high opinion of each other so it comes quite natural to do that.

"

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Terry rolled back the years last season as he led Chelsea to a third Premier League crown under Mourinho's tutelage, but his relationship with the Special One has been complicated by the Blues' complete crash in form.

The Chelsea coach no longer sees Terry as an automatic pick, often giving inexperienced 21-year-old Kurt Zouma the nod, playing him nine times in defence in the Premier League this term, according to Squawka.com.

The Frenchman is being groomed by Mourinho to take a regular place in Chelsea's central defence, but his faith in the player has coincided with his team plummeting down the table, as Terry and Branislav Ivanovic look like faded entities. 

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Terry looked at his best last season, but age has caught up with him over the summer, and Mourinho did not act fast enough to replace his captain with a world-class defender. 

The 34-year-old will have options if he decides to exit the Bridge for a new adventure, as reported by Turkish media outlet AMK (h/t TalkSPORT,) as Antalyaspor prepare a deal to capture the veteran:

As cited by TalkSPORT, Terry will be a free agent in the near future and will be able to negotiate a move to sunnier climes as he looks to see out his career, away from the spotlight of English football.

TalkSPORT also said the MLS is an option for the defender, as Terry has multiple offers from USA clubs.

Despite his disappointments at being dropped, Terry was determined to help his side get back to winning ways and told BT Sport that Chelsea will start to perform at an optimum in the near future, as shared by Chelsea Talk:

Terry has been loyal to the Blues for many seasons, but the time appears right for the player to break away from the safe haven of west London. 

Rodgers To Take Charge If Mourinho Sacked

Former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers could be set for a dramatic return to football after reports suggested the manager could replace Mourinho on an interim basis if the Special One is sacked. 

Jim Gracey of the Belfast Telegraph reports Rodgers might return to the club where he cut his teeth as one of Mourinho's back-room staff,and could be given the role for the rest of the campaign if the Portuguese coach is dismissed. 

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Chelsea play Liverpool in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, and a defeat to Rodgers' former club will almost certainly make Mourinho's position untenable, with the Blues hovering above the relegation zone. 

Gracey asked who owner Roman Abramovich will look to next, as Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is linked with the full-time position if Mourinho leaves: "The biggest question for Abramovich would be who could take over immediately from Mourinho, with realistic caretaker options limited, as he pursues new No1 target Diego Simeone, under contract at Atletico Madrid until the summer, shifting the focus onto Rodgers."

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The next few weeks will shape the destiny of Chelsea as a football club, and the futures of Mourinho and Terry are certainly in the balance.

The team appears to have lost trust in the manager's tactics, but they have also developed a personality complex that is stopping them from winning matches. 

There is the potential that Terry could coach the side if the team needs an interim boss, but his complete lack of experience would make him an unlikely candidate.

He is more likely to find himself move to one of the game's emerging nations, with the Middle East or the MLS distinct possibilities for one last chance of regular football before retirement.