Newly appointed Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has confirmed that there will be no changes made in the club captain role and John Terry will be wearing the captain armband in the upcoming season. Conte praised the Chelsea centre-half by saying Terry has the “right spirit” to fulfill the role he is being offered at the Stamford Bridge.
After Italy got knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the European Championship 2016, Conte flew to the London club to succeed interim manager Guus Hiddink. On Thursday, the newly appointed manager was finally formally introduced to the media.
Despite Terry’s 18 years of loyalty and passionate displays at the club, his future with the Blues became a controversial matter for the fans last season but finally, the 35-year-old was offered a new contract amidst rumours of no further extension offers from Chelsea.
In his press conference held in North London, The Italian said:
“Yes, John Terry is the captain of Chelsea… when he plays, when he doesn’t play. John Terry signed a contract as a player. He is a captain of this team, a great player with a great personality.
“I like to speak with him because he knows the club, the right spirit to play in this club and for me, he’s an important player for me, for the club, for the fans. He signed in May but the decision was taken together, with the club.
“Of course, I am very pleased John Tery has signed a new contract with Chelsea. I have spoken with him at different times. It is important for that John, when he signed, was very, very happy.”
Chelsea had one of their worst title runs in the Premier League in the recent times last season and Conte is very much aware of the burden of expectations and reliance of the fans on his shoulders.
Mourinho and Hiddink both failed to manage a title defending squad which was tearing apart, but the Italian manager is calm and means business. Conte has insisted that the five-time champions of England must return to the Champions League.
“Last season was a bad season,” the 46-year-old said. “We must work in the present, work very hard… The fans need to find a team ready to fight. I know there is only one team that wins the title but we must stay there, to fight for it.
“Chelsea belongs in the Champions League. We must stay.”