John Terry is still Chelsea captain says Antonio Conte
Italian says he wants to use the player's leadership to turn a 'small flame' into a 'towering inferno' at Stamford Bridge

New Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has confirmed that John Terry will continue to play for the Blues next season and will remain as club captain after he signed a new contract in May.
There had been speculation that Terry had agreed to a new role at Stamford Bridge after going back on a threat to leave the club at the end of last season. But, speaking at his first press conference as Chelsea boss, Conte revealed that Terry was still on the books as a player and said that it had been his decision to offer the 35-year-old a new deal.
Terry changed his mind about staying with Chelsea six weeks after the club announced that Conte would be taking over.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The former Italy boss described the veteran defender as "a great player with a great personality" and said he would be an important figure during his first season in charge as "he knows the club and the spirit".
But he also hinted that the 35-year-old would not be a regular in the first team. "When he plays he is the captain, when he doesn't play he is the captain," he said.
Conte also spoke about the challenges of managing in the Premier League and refused to confirm which system he would play.
"Conte, who has won five Serie A titles as a player and three as a manager, is known for using a 3-5-2 system during his time at Juventus and with Italy's national team," reports Goal.com.
But the new Chelsea boss was coy about his options next season. "The manager was like a tailor who must build a dress – the best dress for the team," he said. "You must respect the talent of the team, of the players, you learn and then you can change. Three at the back, four at the back, it is not important."
Conte concluded by admitting that last season had been disappointing for the Blues and signed off with a flourish. "There is a small flame flickering that can turn into a towering inferno," he said.
It was an impressive performance, conducted in English, says the BBC. "He handled his first news conference very well, but you suspect once he settles in the job and improves his English, there'll be fireworks flying between him and the journalists."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Book reviews: 'Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves' and 'Notes to John'
Feature The aughts' toxic pop culture and Joan Didion's most private pages
-
The FDA plans to embrace AI agencywide
In the Spotlight Rumors are swirling about a bespoke AI chatbot being developed for the FDA by OpenAI
-
Digital consent: Law targets deepfake and revenge porn
Feature The Senate has passed a new bill that will make it a crime to share explicit AI-generated images of minors and adults without consent
-
Liverpool's Anfield redemption: how did they do it?
Talking Point Arne Slot's blueprint and standout player performances guide the Reds to record 20th league title
-
Where are all the English football managers?
Talking Point Eddie Howe's Carabao Cup success underlines absence of homegrown coaching talent in the Premier League
-
New Trafford: can it fix Manchester United's footballing problems?
Talking Point Plan for £2 billion stadium despite staff job losses and lack of success on the pitch
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights