Gus Poyet hoping to lure Chelsea captain John Terry to China

Shanghai Shenhua manager Gustavo Poyet has expressed a desire to lure Chelsea captain John Terry to the Chinese Super League in the summer, and thinks a move to East Asia is a possibility for the 36-year-old centre-back.

Poyet, who briefly played alongside Terry during his spell at Stamford Bridge, believes some Chinese sides have been put off signing defenders from overseas due to the recent cap on foreign players. The former Sunderland boss is unequivocal over Terry, though, and wants the 'special' defender to join former Premier League stars such as Carlos Tevez and Obafemi Martins in Shanghai.

"It is a great opportunity for him and for all the teams here [in China], including us," Poyet was quoted as saying by The Mirror. "The latest change of the quantity of foreigners on the pitch [meaning only three can be on the pitch at any one time] stops some clubs from bringing in defenders, but we are talking about a special one.

"It is a great possibility that China will be one of the possible situations for John Terry. It is a very difficult decision whether to stay in England or go abroad. I would like him not to play in the Premier League for another club... maybe I'm a little bit selfish."

Terry, who is attracting interest in a host of clubs both from England and overseas, made his first appearance in the Premier League since November against Southampton on Tuesday night and has only played 10 minutes of English top-flight action for Chelsea since the end of September. The four-time Premier League winner has only started four league games this season, having been ousted by the returning David Luiz.

Chelsea have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since January 22, but Conte will almost certainly leave the former England captain on the bench for his side's crucial clash against Everton on Sunday.