Cahill set to captain Chelsea in their title defence

CHELSEA defender Gary Cahill, 31, is in line to succeed John Terry as captain of the Premier League champions next season, manager Antonio Conte said yesterday.

Cahill, has led Chelsea for the majority of the campaign with Terry, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, starting only five league games.

“Gary is our vice-captain this season. He put the armband on every time John didn’t play,” Conte told reporters before his team host relegated Sunderland tomorrow.

“For sure, Gary has good prospects of being captain, but now it’s important to finish the season.

“To start to think about next season is very dangerous because we have different targets still to reach.”

Conte is yet to make a decision on whether Terry will start in what will be his final game at Stamford Bridge but is certain the 36-year-old has the qualities to succeed elsewhere.

“John has all the possibilities to continue his career,” he added. “We all know he prefers to play regularly and for this reason he decided to leave.

“It is very important to feel yourself, to feel your body, your mind, to see if you have the desire to fight to arrive every day..and John has all of these characteristics.”

The Italian refused to dwell on signing a new contract at the club, saying Chelsea are focused on securing personal and collective milestones up for grabs in the final two games of the season.

“We reached an important target, to win the league, and now on Sunday we have two targets. To try to win the 30 games in this league and then to help the goalkeeper (Thibaut Courtois) to win the golden glove,” said Conte.

“Then we have the FA Cup (final) against Arsenal. Every single player, the coaches and the manager, we have the time to discuss with our club.”

● Everton are setting their sights on transfer window targets as they gear up to meet the demands of European football next season, manager Ronald Koeman said yesterday.

The Dutchman has led Everton to a seventh-placed Premier League finish, guar- anteeing the Merseyside club Europa League qualification at a time when local media have linked their two biggest stars, striker Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Ross Barkley, with possible moves elsewhere.

“We are already two-three months getting a picture on where we need to improve in the transfer window,” Koeman told reporters ahead of Sunday’s league trip to Arsenal.

“We had several meetings and we know what we want. If we can do our business this summer, the team will be really strong for the next season.

“... You know if you are seventh then you have to play Europa League. The Champions League is the next step.”

Asked how contract talks stood with Lukaku – the league’s top scorer – and Barkley, Koeman said he “didn’t know”, though the midfielder’s situation would be resolved soon.

“It is after the game, on Monday – then we will know it.... But I’m not worried, because I like to work with players who like to play.”

With just two defeats in 12 games during his managerial career against Arsenal, Koeman is hopeful that impressive run can continue this weekend.

● Neymar and several other top Brazilian players have been left out of the national squad for friendlies next month against Argentina and Australia, coach Tite said yesterday, giving them a long summer break for the first time since 2013.

The Barcelona striker has played a major tournament every summer since the World Cup in 2014 and he, along with Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, who is suffering from a muscle strain, were left out Tite’s reformed squad.

Regulars Marquinhos, Miranda, Marcelo and Dani Alves were also spared the trip Down Under.

In their place, Monaco centre back Jemerson and Corinthians midfielder Rodriguinho were called up for the first time.

Shaktar striker Taison, who has played just six minutes of international football before, was another surprise inclusion.

David Luiz will return in defence and Gabriel Jesus was recalled after two months out injured at Manchester City.

Brazil will play Argentina on June 9 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and face the host nation at the same venue four days later. –Reuters