Staying Blue? Ancelotti says he’s “100 percent” sure that John Terry will remain with Chelsea

Chelsea manager sounds confident Terry staying

SEATTLE — New Chelsea FC manager Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t believe he needs to be looking for a new captain.

No matter what Manchester City offers, Ancelotti doesn’t see defender John Terry going anywhere.

“I am sure he will remain in Chelsea,” Ancelotti said on Friday afternoon as the Blues practiced ahead of their match Saturday against the Seattle Sounders FC of the MLS. “I am sure, 100 percent. He has a contract for three years more and this is the situation now.”

The pursuit of Terry by Manchester City has been big news in England and the debate on Terry’s future made its way to America. Despite constant denials by Chelsea that it would ever agree to the transfer, the question has lingered because of Terry’s refusal to comment on the situation.

Going with the team on its four-match tour of the United States was a strong indication that Terry is committed to remaining with the only club he’s ever played for. Perhaps as an added acknowledgment, Terry was the first player on the field Friday night as the Blues held an open practice before a few thousand fans at Qwest Field.

“He’s the same captain he was three months ago, five months ago, one year ago, five years ago, so I don’t see any difference,” Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech said.

Asked if Terry needed to address the situation with his teammates, Cech said it wasn’t needed.

“I don’t have to ask him because I can see with my eyes that he is committed,” Cech said.

As part of its offseason makeover, Manchester City has already made two offers for Terry, both of which were quickly turned down by Chelsea management. Manchester City already acquired Carlos Tevez from Manchester United, added Brazil’s Robinho, who joined for a British-record fee $61.7 million last September, and obtained Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn.

They also made a record bid last year for Brazilian star Kaka, part of an increased financial commitment since the club was bought last year by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.

“For me, now, Terry is the captain of this club,” said Ancelotti, about to begin his first season after coming from AC Milan. “He shall remain the captain of this team.”