Antonio Conte insists John Terry retains important role at Chelsea - even when he isn't playing

The Blues skipper is fit to face Manchester United and Conte won't hesitate to recall him but insists he is as important off the pitch as he is on it

A true Chelsea icon will march out at the Bridge on Sunday and win the acclaim of his adoring fans.

Skipper and defensive inspiration John Terry will return from injury for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

Terry may be six weeks short of his 36th birthday but Blues boss Antonio Conte knows how important the old warrior still is in his team’s tilt for the title.

Conte said: “John is a very important player. He is our captain. He has stayed at the club for many, many years. For me he is a great help. He is still an important player for us if he doesn’t start the match.

John Terry in action during training

Terry warms up ahead of last weekend's win over Leicester

“On the pitch, in the changing room – when you are captain, you have a lot of commitment. No only on the pitch, but also outside. Usually, the captain always helps the coach.

“I was captain at Juventus and I did this for five years. I know this type of role.”

Terry has been in full training all week after an ankle injury.

When Conte arrived last summer there were suggestions that the new Italian manager might prefer to see a long-standing, senior figure like JT move on. That theory has been disproved by events and Terry’s importance continues.

In the past, the star has suggested that he is uncomfortable playing in the back-three system preferred by Conte.

But the Italian made it clear he is confident Terry can play in that formation.

“Yes, I think he can play in that,” said Conte. “We were working with David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta. I am having a good response on this aspect.”

And he clearly feels that Terry has a powerful but positive influence on his squad.

David Luiz in action against Leicester

Terry could return against United

He recalled the scenario when he was in the same situation and explained: “When I was captain, sometimes it happened that I didn’t play. Not sometimes – often!

"But I always helped the team and the coach and created the right atmosphere. And I repeat: John is a good player. When I call on him to play, my expectations are always very high.”

Conte then spoke of his ambition to emulate Mourinho in his time at the club. “Jose was a very important manager in the history of this club. And I hope to work with this club for many years, to build something important.

Mourinho celebrates with the Premier League title

Conte gestures on the touchline

“I signed a three-year contract at Chelsea. In my mind it was to stay here for three years and build success for
this club.”

Conte stopped short of claiming Chelsea can win the title. But he pledged: “I always give the maximum in work. It is important to give the maximum of myself, to work really hard and build something of importance.

“I have to go to my house with my conscience clear that I gave my all.”

The return of Luiz from Paris Saint- Germain surprised many with a Chelsea allegiance and there was talk that the Brazilian was not the choice of Conte. Not so according to the manager.

“We take the decision together with the club in every situation – me and the club, always together. This is the right way to do important things for the present and the future.”

More games: friv

Sam Allardyce considering John Terry talks over England return

England manager Sam Allardyce says he would be open to speaking to John Terry about a return to the national team but admits there could be 'political' issues.

The Chelsea captain retired from international football in September 2012, four days before he was suspended for four matches by the Football Association for misconduct following an incident during a match against Queens Park Rangers.

He won the last of his 78 caps in England's 5-0 win over Moldova, and was not considered for the national side during Roy Hodgson's time in charge.

However, asked if Terry could be considered for England selection again, Allardyce said: "I don't know what the political side of that might mean, if there is a political side. I'll have to have that conversation if I feel that John Terry may be a possibility.

"I think it depends on what John said. Maybe if I get the opportunity, I might have to give him a ring. But until I come to that selection or that process, we'll wait and see."

Allardyce will name his first England squad on Sunday as he prepares for the opening match of their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign in Slovakia on September 4. 

Allardyce will announce his skipper this week and has also confirmed Joe Hart will remain part of the squad for his first games in charge.

But the 61-year-old remained coy on whether he will select Hart's Manchester City team-mate John Stones, stressing he was focused on immediate results rather than playing potential.

"See there's that word then, we don't want potential do we. I want the thing, and right now," he said when asked about Stones.

"Potential is something that's going to be great in the future. I want it right now and I think he's got a great chance of becoming right now working with Manchester City.

"With all due respect to Everton, working with Manchester City and the level he has to get to because you don't realise he (Guardiola) does focus quite a lot on defending - not just wining the ball back.

"(Gerard) Pique was a little similar at Man United until he went to Barcelona then he became a good defender as well as a great attribute for Barcelona in possession. So he had both. That's why he stayed there for so long."

John Terry to remain Chelsea skipper, confirms Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte will continue with John Terry as Chelsea captain, whether or not the defender plays.

The 35-year-old defender signed a one-year contract extension — his third such deal — in May, having in January declared his expectation that he would leave this summer.

Terry, who has made more than 700 appearances for the Blues, has been reassured his considerable influence is valued.

“Yes, John Terry is the captain of Chelsea when he plays, when he doesn’t play. You are always the captain,” Conte said.

“He’s captain of this team, he’s a great player, with a great personality, with great charisma.

“I like to speak to him because he knows the club, the right spirit to play in this club and for me he’s an important player.

“When a player deserves to play, with me, (they) play.”

Antonio Conte addresses the media at Stamford Bridge during his official unveiling as Chelsea’s new manager at Stamford Bridge yesterday. Picture: Steve Paston/PA

Former Italy boss Conte, speaking English well, expressed his pride and excitement at what awaits with Chelsea.

He also acknowledged the challenge ahead at a club which won the 2014-15 Premier League title, but finished a lowly 10th last term.

“The pressure for me is not important,” Conte added.

“I was born with pressure. It’s normal.

“When you are a player, a footballer, or a manager of a great club like Chelsea you must play to win the title or to fight at the end to compete with the other teams, to win the title, to reach your targets.

“I know this league is very, very difficult, because there are six, seven teams that can win the title.”

Conte was speaking in the Harris Suite at Stamford Bridge after his second day of training with Chelsea’s first team squad.

“In these two days I saw the players with the right attitude, with the right behaviour, with a great will to fight for this shirt, to fight to go back very soon to compete for the best position, to compete to win the title,” Conte added.

“The best important message is that I’m a worker. I like to work. I know only this road, to win.

Conte joins Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Arsene Wenger, Mauricio Pochettino and Claudio Ranieri as a Premier League boss.

He said: “I’m very happy to compete with them, but in this tournament it’s not a challenge between managers, between great teams, between great players, this is the most important thing.”

He plans to call former Chelsea boss Ranieri, who led Leicester to a surprise title success last term.

“I will call Claudio Ranieri, first and foremost because he’s a lovely man, and I will ask him a bit of advice,” he said.

As for the team’s formation, Conte did not reveal his plans, but used a tailor metaphor.

“You must build the best dress for the team and respect their characteristics,” he said.

“Every manager has his own method, his own philosophy of football and idea of football. I want to transfer my idea to the players.”

Chelsea Legend Credits Antonio Conte With Keeping John Terry at Stamford Bridge

Former Chelsea centre-back Marcel Desailly has credited the club's new manager Antonio Conte with keeping captain John Terry at the club next season, suggesting that the departing Italy coach wanted the 35-year-old to stay more than some more established members of the club's hierarchy. 

Terry had said earlier in the campaign that he would be leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the season after not being offered a new contract, but signed a one-year deal last month to extend his stay at the club into a 22nd year. 

​Speaking to Omnisport, Desailly said: “Chelsea said ‘we don’t give out contracts [for] more than one year’ or they made a statement that they didn’t want John to stay, and probably Conte said 'wait, wait, wait, wait… he’s historic – let me talk with him, discuss with him, to explain to him what I want to do for next season.'”

Speaking in another interview this week, he praised Terry, saying: "He is still the leader and maybe Conte met him and realised that John is still ready to sacrifice everything for the club. John doesn't have to be first choice but keeping him is good for the continuity of the team. So I am very happy for him but it would also have been good for him to experience something else."

Next season will see the Blues face one of their least crowded fixture lists in recent years, with no European football to contend with after finishing ninth in a disastrous Premier League campaign. 

Jose Mourinho was sacked in December with the club sitting in 16th place, but a slight revival under interim manager Guus Hiddink led them to a top-half finish.

John Terry calls on FA not to hand out 'silly bans' just because Chelsea vs Tottenham ‘boiled over’

Chelsea captain John Terry has called on the football authorities not to make ‘silly’ decisions as a result of last night’s heated clash with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham received a Premier League record nine bookings during the match as they failed to secure the win they needed to keep their title race alive, as Leicester City were crowned champions.

Having lead 2-0 at the interval, Chelsea’s fightback ignited an already hostile atmosphere as Tottenham’s frustrations overflowed.

Mousa Dembele appeared to scratch the face of Diego Costa and will almost certainly pick up an FA ban, while Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was forced to enter the pitch to intervene a bust-up between Danny Rose and Willian.

Both sets of players clashed in the entrance to the tunnel at full time, with Blues Guus Hiddink falling victim to melee, and fell into the technical area.

But Terry insists it would be ‘silly’ to hand out bans from a heated London derby.

"Players are fighting for league titles, it’s emotions," said Terry after the match.

“It boiled over [but] let's not get silly and start banning people, it's a London derby and the fans want to see it."

Antonio Conte eyes crucial first Chelsea signing ahead of Stamford Bridge switch

ANTONIO CONTE wants to replace John Terry with Juventus ace Leonardo Bonucci, according to reports in Italy.

Italy coach Conte is expected to finalise terms with Chelsea next week.

And Italian news outlet TuttoMercato claim the experienced boss will make a move for the 28-year-old defender in the summer.

Club captain Terry is set to leave Stamford Bridge after no new contract offer has materialised.

And it’s thought that Conte views the Italy international as the ideal replacement.

But Conte might have to battle Manchester Cityfor his signature.

Incoming City chief Pep Guardiola is a long-term admirer and could also make a move.

Speaking after Bayern Munich’s Champions League clash with Juventus last month, Guardiola expressed his admiration for the star.

He said: “Did you really think we could come here and expect to dominate for 90 minutes against a side with Pogba, Mandzukic, Morata, Bonucci – one of my favourite ever players – Buffon and all these characters?”

Since joining the club from Bari in 2010, Bonucci has made 189 appearances for the Old Lady, scoring 11 goals.

It’s time for a new kind of Chelsea

Stability, it used to be said, was what Chelsea needed most of all. 

While Roman Abramovich worked his way through a whole platoon of managers, every big prize in football came rolling through the door.

Actually, what worked brilliantly for the club was constant chaos and upheaval.  

Under 12 regimes in 12 years under the Russian, Chelsea stockpiled four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League. 

Guus Hiddink, himself in his second stint in charge - albeit temporarily - may yet add another FA Cup deliver his second FA Cup to SW6, as his side head to Everton for the quarter-final on Saturday.

But, yes, of course, what the place really required during all that time was stability. 

To paraphrase Monty Python, the fans might have asked during all those heady moments; what has Roman ever done for us? And the resounding answer would have been; everything.

What we know now, though, is that it couldn’t last. Time catches up with every empire, even one which reached its pinnacle less than four years ago with the European Cup triumph in Munich. That is how quickly things change in the game now. 

So in the wake of the sobering defeat in the Champions League this week, it is plain that the end of that era really has arrived.

The elimination by Qatari-funded PSG, who won home and away and knocked out Chelsea for the second successive season, was a true watershed moment.

It was a stark confirmation that the ground at the top of the game has shifted all around the club.  

In response, it is time for a long-term plan and a proper sense of vision rather than the thwarted suggestion of such aims which accompanied the second coming of Jose Mourinho, if not his second going. 

On Wednesday, it wasn’t just about the fact that the Parisian club are even richer than Chelsea.  Or that they spent even more on their team. Or that they had, on paper beforehand, more quality, purpose, fire-power, technical excellence (perhaps not in defence) and in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a leadership figure and character even more strident than John Terry, who sat out the 2-1 second leg defeat with injury.

It was that they made sure they applied all these factors in exactly the right manner and measure to stamp their authority all over the game, despite Diego Costa’s brilliant equaliser and his team’s brief rally afterward.

By the finish, Chelsea looked powerless to react. And that was the most telling matter of all.

This was a well-calculated and executed exercise in power and a pointer to the future by PSG, who saw their triumph as their own coming-of-age on the major European stage.

In the long run, it may have done Chelsea a favour. It has pointed out the extra-ordinary reality that less than half decade after they became the only London team to win the European Cup, they have been elbowed back out of the elite again. 

It also means that Antonio Conte, their likely new manager must be backed to the hilt, even if he struggles to adapt to English football and the Premier League , which can happen to managers with the finest reputations. 

Even if the next boss doesn’t secure a quick return to the Champions League at the first attempt, in his first league campaign here, Chelsea must stick with the programme.

Already, the correct noises are seeping out of Stamford Bridge. They want to retain the core of the current squad, it seems, in the belief that they have under-performed this season - traumatised amid Mourinho’s turbulent fall from grace. 

I am not so sure about that. Too much staleness may have set into this group of players and some seem distracted. The side needs refreshing and it needs a new injection of game-changing ability.

There will, though, be a philosophy about the team and the club’s development at work, it is said from within the corridors of power.

This is the right way to address things, even if it was all heard before during Mourinho’s second honeymoon period – and then all had to be detonated.

Chelsea's strategic instincts remain correct - and in truth, it seems pretty obvious what has to happen when you take a look at the current European elite and assess their future prospects.

Barcelona, with one of the greatest forward lines in history, go from strength to strength.

Bayern Munich are about to come under the wing of the most successful of all the managerial grandees, the former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, who has won the Champions League three times as a manager. 

Manchester City will be taken over by the man Abramovich coveted most of all, Pep Guardiola, and will spend massively.

"Even if the next boss doesn’t secure a quick return to the Champions League at the first attempt, in his first league campaign here, Chelsea must stick with the programme."

Real Madrid plan a future around Gareth Bale and will buy Galactically, again. 

The mighty are mightier than ever and chaos and instability, which proved so successful for Chelsea, simply isn’t workable anymore. 

Even Manchester United may bounce back if Mourinho is installed there.

Conte, who three Serie A titles for Juventus between 2011 and 2014, is said to be a man of burning passion, anger and vision.

Finally, Abramovich has to ensure that his manager has time to develop such a vision.

He desperately wanted that to happen with Mourinho, but it all fell to pieces.

If the owner has learned anything from his time in football, it must surely be that the game inevitably moves in cycles.  And that means it is time for a new kind of Chelsea now.