Chelsea boss Antonio Conte jumps to defence of John Terry by insisting his captain remains 'an important player'

CONTE AND TERRY

Antonio Conte insists John Terry will remain an important influence on his Chelsea team even if his captain cannot hold down a place in the new-look defence.

It is 18 years to the day since Terry made his Chelsea debut, he will be 36 in December and found it difficult to adapt at West Ham on Wednesday, when he returned after six weeks out.

Conte admits he will not abandon his favoured 3-4-3 system which has been working well until the defeat at West Ham in the EFL Cup.

He said: 'It is logical John came back from injury and it's not easy to find quickly the right shape.

'John is an important player for us. If he plays or if he doesn't play, in the changing room and for the team-mates and for the club.

'In this case it's always important the team and not to speak about individual players. I always take the best decision for the team and never for an individual player.'

The Italian tactician revealed Cesc Fabregas remains on the sidelines while Branislav Ivanovic is available for selection after returning to full fitness.

'Injured players are the same,' revealed Conte. 'Fabregas is not available and Ivanovic is fully recovered. Compared to the last games this is new. We have all the players available. Then I have to take the best decision for the starting 11.'

Chelsea crashed out of the League Cup at the hands of rivals West Ham but Conte has made it clear he will not be changing his formation ahead of his side's trip to Southampton on Sunday. 

'I watched the video against West Ham. I think we played a good game with good intensity against a tough team. West Ham played with the players who play in the Premier League. 

'We started very well, but the goal changed the situation a bit. I prefer not to concede the second goal. Then I see a good reaction and a good spirit. We played to avoid to lose. We had different chances to score, also a penalty. We scored at the end. But I watched positive things and things I'm sure we can improve.

'It's not a win or a defeat that can change my idea or the confidence of the players. After Arsenal and Liverpool defeats, in the future we never must play with 4-2-3-1. It's not only the problem of the system. It's the right way for the players. It's a good fit for the team. We found a good balance and also we have a good offensive situation because in every game we score a goal. 

'We must continue to work on the movement. It's not easy, it's different. But I think a lot of positive things and we want to continue on this aspect and we are working very hard to improve. We understood this way was the right way.' 

West Ham's win over Chelsea was marred by crowd trouble at the London Stadium and Conte has condemned the fans who were involved in the violence. 

Conte added: 'When this situation happens, it's never good. It's possible to talk and to ask why it happened. I always admire the atmosphere in the English football. It is fantastic. It's a pity. We prefer the situation didn't happen.'