Former Ireland defender Kenny Cunningham believes John Terry's decision to reveal that he is leaving Chelsea this summer is "calculated".

The long-time Blues captain could depart with no new contract forthcoming and made an announcement to the media after last Sunday's FA Cup win over MK Dons.

But Kenny says he was "irked" by the way Terry has handled this and believes the veteran defender is trying to back the London club into a corner in order to pressure them into offering him a new deal.

"I must admit I've really been irked by this all week. The statement that he made during the week really caught everybody by surprise. It was a very calculated decision in my opinion from John Terry almost with the intention of trying to back the club into a corner - trying to force the hand into giving him a contract," said Kenny, speaking from Stamford Bridge before co-commentating Chelsea's game with Manchester United live on Off The Ball.

Kenny Cunningham ©INPHO/James Crombie

"I didn't like it. I thought it was really tacky and really lacked class. Regardless of what's happened before, it smacked of self-interest to me. John Terry's 35, he's in decline, he's been a brilliant defender but he's struggling and he has been for quite some time."

Kenny believes Chelsea approach makes sense to wait and see where Terry is at performance-wise before offering a contract and added that the club "owe John Terry absolutely nothing".