BLUES MUST ACT FAST TO STAY TOP

JT calls for reinforcements

JOHN TERRY claims Chelsea’s FA Cup Final losers can go on to achieve Champions League greatness next season.

But the departing Blues skipper reckons they must keep up with the likes of Manchester City in the transfer market to do it.

Terry believes Chelsea can follow up this season’s Premier League title triumph by mounting an assault on Europe.

But he warned Blues bosses to get their fingers out after City set the ball rolling on a summer of spending with the £43m signing of Monaco star Bernardo Silva.

Terry said: “I think we can push on. Listen, clearly we have to keep improving year after year. I’ve seen that as well – you can’t stand still in the transfer market.

Bigger

“City have already made one big signing. We need to act fast and I am sure the club will. Everyone needs to keep raising the bar.

“I am sure we’ll do the same, the manager stressed that himself as well, but this team is a great group.

“They can start mixing it with the best. That’s obviously been a big plus for us in the league this year, not playing Champions League football.

“But that can be the attraction for signing bigger and better players as well. That’s a plus on that side ® of it, but this current squad is good enough to go and compete in all competitions at every level.

“I think we’ve shown that this year. There is going to be more games next year, so the squad needs improving and a bit more strength in depth.”

That is a message that is echoed by Antonio Conte, who has Juventus wing-back Alex Sandro and strikers Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata in his sights.

Blues boss Conte said: “We reached an incredible target with players that performed 120 per cent. We didn’t have injuries, which was because of our good work but it was also very lucky.

“We did not have a squad like United, City, Tottenham or Arsenal. Now it’s important to find the right solution because we start next season as champions.”

Terry cleared out his locker last week and will now take some time off before deciding his next move. But he’s vowed to return to Wembley one day – as a manager.

He said: “That was an emotional one. Thursday, my last day, clearing out the locker. It kind of makes you feel empty a little bit.

CHEW IT OVER: Diego Costa celebrates his FA Cup Final goal for Chelsea CHELSEA could be forced to take a huge hit on Diego Costa this summer after he ruled out a move to China. Costa has told the Blues he will only leave them to rejoin Atletico Madrid.

PLENTY TO PONDER: John Terry walks off the Wembley pitch and away from Chelsea