Conte may have convinced Terry to stay – Desailly

Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly believes new manager Antonio Conte may have played a big role in captain John Terry signing a new one-year contract at the West London club.

Terry looked set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season before Chelsea made a U-turn on their decision by offering the 35-year-old a chance to play in his 19th campaign for the Blues.

Desailly spent three years as captain at Chelsea before Terry succeeded the former French international in 2004.

“Maybe he [Antonio Conte] had power over it. Chelsea’s rule is that they don’t give out more than one-year contracts after 30. Conte maybe said wait, he’s historic, let me discuss with him, let me explain to him.

“Maybe the discussion went very well and Chelsea decided to give him a contract for another year. He’s the natural leader, the captain. Desailly and Terry, nobody else. And Dennis Wise.

“That’s three captains in 20 years, nobody else. It’s good that he’s stayed. I still want him to experience football abroad in his life. I hope he doesn’t retire after this year and will continue to try and play in a different country,” the Ghanaian born retired French international said.

Desailly says it could be a frustrating season for the fans and the prospect of no European football will leave the Chelsea players with ‘knots in their stomachs.’

“They don’t have the Champions League or the Europa League. It will be an annoying season. It will be fine to rebuild but it’s a shame for the sponsors and the fans that won’t be able to see Barcelona, Real Madrid. We have the same story with AC Milan but they are also annoyed that they don’t have European football.

“Chelsea will have time to study, to work hard. It’s not good as it brings problems to keep and bring in top players from the outside. We like the rhythm of the games. You play on the weekend and also in the week, you love it. The repetition means you avoid the training sessions. You’re happy to go into stadiums. It’s not good when you look at it. Your top class players need to be in it.

“They will be sad in front of the TV with knots in the stomach because they are watching others enjoying the possibility of being a winner in the Champions League. At the end of the day it is not good.”