"?New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has spoken of the importance of having a good relationship with John Terry and has praised the influence the captain has on the club.
Terry's 18-year Chelsea career looked all but over after the former England captain announced earlier in the year that he would not be getting a new contract. But the appointment of Conte was a deciding factor in the club's decision to eventually hand the 35-year-old a new deal, and the Italian manager is pleased he has Terry to call upon this season.
Conte on captain John Terry's role within the squad... https://t.co/HhC28Dl5ex
"John has always played for this club," Conte told the MailOnline.
"I think he is in the history of this club. And it's important for me that he can explain what it means to play for this club, what it means to wear this shirt, this badge. I think it's important in the dressing room," the former Juventus manager added.
"I have spoken with him. In the future it's important to have this relationship because he is the captain of our team and it's important also to transfer sometimes message.
"I think to have a good relationship is very important with John and the other players, always with great education and respect."
Terry has only been given a one-year contract due to the club's over-30 policy, but Conte does not believe this is his captain's last season.
"I think a player must play when he feels able to, when he has the will to go every day to the training ground, to have the training session with the team, to go away for many days from your wife or your children," Conte said.
"If you feel this, I think it's right to continue to play. I think he has this this because I see he has this will."