John Terry remains silent over Manchester City interest as Chelsea head to US

John Terry joined his team-mates on the plane leaving for Chelsea’s pre-season tour of America with questions hanging over a possible move to Manchester City while Joe Cole was left behind after undergoing an operation on his knee.

Terry has yet to break his silence over persistent rumours that Chelsea are willing to listen to City’s overtures for a player who has been at Stamford Bridge since his teens and has come to be an emblem for the club.

And with a public commitment to Chelsea not forthcoming from the player himself, City manager Mark Hughes has been encouraged.

He has already had two bids turned down but will have little hesitation in raising his offer for a second time to around £40 million.

Chief executive Peter Kenyon moved to play down speculation that Terry might be heading to Eastlands when he told the Daily Telegraph’s Jeff Randall on Sky News: “I don’t know what they’re offering but I’m confident John will remain with us.

“John is a talisman; he’s the heart of Chelsea. He came through the academy, he’s our captain and he’s also become captain of England whilst he’s been here.”

Cole did not travel with the rest of the squad after undergoing minor surgery yesterday.

Cole required the operation to correct a small tear to his meniscus in his knee and is expected back in full training in one month.

The England midfielder had recently recovered from cruciate ligament damage sustained in January, an injury that ruled him out of the rest of the 2008-09 season.

Chelsea left for America today and will play the opening match of their tour against Seattle Sounders on Saturday.