Conte backing departing Terry to soldier on
LONDON — Chelsea manager Antonio Conte expects departing captain John Terry to play beyond the end of the season, despite the former England centerback hinting at retirement.
Speaking after scoring in Chelsea’s 4-3 victory over Watford on Monday, its first outing since winning the Premier League, Terry said: “I still haven’t ruled out Sunday being my last game and retiring.”
Chelsea ends its league campaign at home to Sunderland before tackling Arsenal in the FA Cup final.
While Conte has come to terms with Terry’s decision to leave, the Italian believes the 36-year-old, who joined the Blues at 14, will not hang up his boots.
“No, absolutely not. No, no, John wants to continue to play,” said Conte, whose side prevailed courtesy of an 88thminute strike by substitute Cesc Fabregas.
“I wish for him and his family the best. Chelsea will always be his home because John, first of all, is a great man and a great legend and player for Chelsea, and for whatever team he decides to play for in the future.
“I’m looking forward to see him lift the (Premier League) cup and I think all the players want to see this. This is the right final for John.
“John took this decision to continue to play regularly and play every game, and for this reason he preferred to leave Chelsea and to play every game I don’t know where. For sure, for us this is a big loss.”
Terry, making his 716th Chelsea appearance, put his side ahead in the 22nd minute at Stamford Bridge, but it was from his loose header that Etienne Capoue equalized two minutes later.
Goals from Cesar Azpilicueta and Michy Batshuayi restored and then extended Chelsea’s lead, only for the Hornets to reply through Daryl Janmaat and substitute Stefano Okaka.
But Fabregas swept in Willian’s pass to keep Chelsea on course to become the first team to win 30 games in a 38-game season in England’s top flight.
Conte made nine changes to the team that secured the title by winning 1-0 at West Bromwich Albion on Friday, but suggested he would pick a strong side for the visit of rele- gated Sunderland.
“The FA Cup final, you don’t play that on Saturday. You start to play the final 10 days before,” the manager said.
“For this reason, in my head I have a plan to try to arrive to play the final in the best condition, in the best situation for my players.
“At this moment I have 13 or 14 players and they deserve to play the FA Cup, and many players are in good form.
“I have to take my time in these 12 days to make the decision. But, for sure, I have to pick the players who, for me, are in better form.”
Watford finished the game with 10 men after Sebastian Prodl received two late yellow cards for untidy challenges on Batshuayi and Pedro.
Watford boss Walter Mazzarri downplayed an on-pitch argument between Italian striker Okaka and his captain, Troy Deeney, but said he would speak to the pair about the matter.
“They’re friends, they’re always together. Nobody told me anything,” said the Italian, whose side remains 16th in the standings.
“I want players with character who talk to each other on the pitch.
“Tomorrow I will investi- gate, but I don’t think it was anything.”
Costa’s cake
Conte, meanwhile, feigned offense after being told that striker Diego Costa, who was an unused substitute, had visited the buffet in the media room at halftime.
“In this case I’m very angry with him,” Conte smiled.
“He must think to give me a bit of chocolate cake to share. I was suffering during the game. To eat a bit of cake or chocolate, that would have been good.”
Scoring his first Chelsea goal in 485 days, then mistiming a header to gift the equalizer two minutes later.
If that is how John Terry’s 22-year association with Chelsea ends, it was a memorable exit against Watford on Monday. Not perfection, but that wouldn’t be in keeping with the 36-year-old defender’s career of dizzying highs and notorious lows.
And by next week, this stalwart of English soccer could be hanging up his boots for good, rather than searching for one final challenge away from Chelsea.
“I know I said I wanted to play regular football, but I have not ruled out Sunday being my last game and retiring,” Terry said after the newly crowned English champion’s 4-3 victory over Watford.
“It depends if the right offer comes along. I will sit and consider it with my family, whether I end up here or abroad. But, genuinely, I haven’t made any decisions yet.”
He’s had much time to think about his next steps from the bench this season.
“I never wanted to be that player just hanging about that people can’t wait to get rid of or stopping the progress of a younger player coming through,” Terry said.
Only with the Premier League title already sealed was Terry restored to the heart of a defense he commanded for so many seasons before age finally