John Terry fears for Chelsea future if boss Jose Mourinho leaves him out against West Brom after substitution at Manchester City

Jose Mourinho substituted John Terry against Manchester City last week
But Terry expects to be back in the side to face West Brom on Sunday
Chelsea are pursuing John Stones and have asked about Raphael Varane
They remain interested in Paul Pogba but his £80m price tag is too high

Published:
21:30 GMT, 22 August 2015

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Updated:
22:14 GMT, 22 August 2015

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Chelsea skipper John Terry’s future will become clearer on Sunday as Jose Mourinho selects his starting XI to face West Bromwich Albion.

The defender’s position in the manager’s plans was cast into doubt after he was substituted at half-time during last Sunday’s humiliating 3-0 loss at Manchester City.

Chelsea sources claim the club captain has been unfazed by Mourinho’s decision to replace him at the Etihad Stadium. However, his mood is likely to change if he is dropped from the team on Sunday.

Chelsea skipper John Terry’s future will become clearer on Sunday with the team selection at West Brom

Terry was substituted by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in last week’s heavy defeat by Manchester City

If named on the bench, Terry will fear that his time as a Chelsea regular will be drawing to a close. Towards the end of last week, though, the 34-year-old was said to be confident of starting the clash against Tony Pulis’ side.

Mourinho’s persistent pursuit of Everton’s John Stones has underlined that Terry’s career is drawing to a close, but he is unwilling to let his Chelsea playing career go without a fight.

The champions are expected to return with a fourth offer, in the region of £34million, for Stones this week.

They have made another check on the availability of Mourinho’s No 1 central defensive target Raphael Varane as their attempts to sign Stones stumble, but it is hugely unlikely that Real Madrid will let the France international leave.

Chelsea remain interested in Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, but his £80m asking price is proving prohibitive.

Meanwhile, the season may still be in its first month, but Mourinho already believes there is a campaign being mounted against one of his players.

Chelsea have made another check on the availability of Mourinho’s No 1 target Raphael Varane

The Portuguese says Diego Costa is being unfairly treated by officials and tarnished with an unwarranted reputation.

The Spain striker was involved in a running battle against Brazilian Fernandinho last weekend — a war the City man won by scoring the third after escaping a red card for catching Costa’s head with an elbow.

But Mourinho insists his striker would have been suspended if he had acted in the same manner.

‘If it’s Diego Costa that does that I can guarantee you a red card,’ said the manager. ‘If not a red card then video footage and a suspension.

‘I think enough time (has passed) to forget his reputation, because tell me when was the last time something happened.’

When asked if Costa is being punished for merely reacting to deliberately antagonising play from opponents, Mourinho said: ‘Yes.’

But he was far more verbose when asked what could be done to prevent this perceived injustice.

‘Nothing,’ he said. ‘What can you do? The referees have the power to analyse and to decide.

‘We were told to behave in the technical area, not to complain, not to make gestures, not to have contact with other assistants outside the bench watching television telling us if it’s a red, if it’s a penalty, if it’s offside or not offside.

‘We were told that, and we are doing that.’