Chelsea captain John Terry is expected to stay on as the Blues’ captain next season, new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte explained at his maiden press briefing after joining the west London club.
Conte was quoted as saying: “John Terry is captain of this team. He is a great player with a great personality and charisma. He knows the club. We take all decisions together with the club and I am very happy John signed.”
The 35-year-old veteran signed a new 1-year contract at the club last May to put an end to rumours that he was leaving Stamford Bridge after over 700 matches. The defender is undoubtedly a fans favourite at the Bridge.
The Italian guided Serie A champions Juventus to 3 Serie A titles back-to-back before he was made the head coach of the Italy national team. He has since replaced interim Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink at Chelsea.
Conte is pretty well known for his fiery touchline displays and motivational powers, and the Chelsea boss explained his team would be required to imitate his hard-work ethic in order to return to winning ways after failing to make the Uefa Champions League spots last season.
The former Premier League champions finished 10th in the Premier League table last term and felt they had to sack the most successful manger in their history, Jose Mourinho, last December.
Antonio Conte, who starts his time in English football with a match at home to London rivals West Ham United, is the 5th Italian to coach the west London club, following the likes of Champions league winner Roberto Di Matteo, current Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri, Gianluca Vialli, and Bayern Munich manger Carlo Ancelotti.
Conte surely has the experience and if he feels Terry is the best person to captain the team, then Chelsea fans will support him. However, in my opinion, I don’t think Terry will be a key player for Chelsea next season and it remains to be seen how much impact he will have on the team from the bench.
