Conte names Terry as Chelsea’s captain
ITALIAN MANAGER REPOSES FAITH IN TOP DEFENDER
ong-serving defender John Terry will remain Chelsea’s captain in the coming season, new manager Antonio Conte said yesterday at his first news conference since joining the Premier League club.
Terry, 35, signed a new oneyear contract at Stamford Bridge in May to end speculation that he was going to leave the London club after more than 700 appearances. He remains a firm favourite with the club’s fans.
“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,” Conte said.
Conte, who guided Juventus to three successive Serie A titles from 2012 to 2014 before Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes lack of European football will be an advantage for the club in the Premier League and same will be the case for Chelsea. Liverpool, who replaced Rodgers with Jurgen Klopp, lost the Europa League final to Sevilla in May and settled for an eighth-place finish in the Premier League.
“I think Liverpool have a great chance this year,” Celtic manager Rodgers told talkSPORT. Liverpool open their 2016-17 campaign against last season’s runner-up Arsenal on August 14. becoming the Italian national team coach, has replaced interim manager Guus Hiddink.
Winning ways
Known for his motivational powers and fiery touchline presence, the Italian said the team would need to emulate his work ethic to get back to winning ways after missing out on qualification for European football. Chelsea, the 2014-15 Premier League champions, finished only 10th in the table last season and parted company with manager Jose Mourinho midway through the campaign.
“Last season was a bad season,” Conte said.
“We must fight for the title, we belong in the Champions League and we must stay there.”
He begins his tenure in England with a London derby at home to West Ham United on August 15.