Antonio Conte says it will be the club and himself to decide John Terry’s future.
Chelsea will not rush to resolve John Terry’s future, Antonio Conte said after he saw his sides 4-1 FA Cup win over Peterborough on Sunday.
Terry, Chelsea’s longest serving player, was sent off in the FA Cup victory, and Conte admitted they may appeal the red card – a story we brought to you via Silly Season’s Steve Osborne;Â but the Italian boss also discussed the future of his veteran defender, who ran out as Captain until his dismissal.
Reports in December seemed to indicate the 36-year-old Terry had been told he would not be offered another playing contract when his current deal expires in the summer, and the club confirmed talks would be held towards the end of the current campaign.
Questioned about fan favourite Terry’s future on Sunday evening, Conte said: “This type of decision is important to make with the club and not alone. I am pleased for John because he as shown me great commitment when I ask him to play and when he doesn’t play.
“He is helping me a lot in the changing room and he has shown me he is a good player and above all, a good man.
“Now it is important to continue in this way because now we have the second half of the season, and with the FA Cup, we will have a lot of commitments. Then we will see.”
Despite a relatively straight forward victory over Peterborough, Terry’s red card tarnished Conte’s day slightly, after he saw his skipper dismissed for a foul on Lee Angol in the 66th minute of the fixture, with the score at 3-0 to the Blues.
!I think it wasn’t right” Conte said of the decision to give Terry his marching orders.
“because he didn’t take the opponent and also because behind John, there was [Branislav]Â Ivanovic to cover him.
“It is a pity when this happens because to take a red card is not good. I think you have to respect the decision but in this case, maybe, we will make an appeal because the situation is very clear and I think John didn’t deserve this.”
Only time will tell what the future holds for the Chelsea captain, but fans in West London will be hoping that this, and indeed the red card Terry was shown, will not affect the defenders efforts to improve and help Chelsea in their push for silverware this season, despite so far, struggling to gain a first team place.
Jordon Ledbury – @Ledds6
