The ManicaPost
Chelsea should move on from long-serving captain John Terry and give youth a chance, according to former defender Frank Leboeuf.Terry was set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of last season as his contract expired, but signed a new one-year deal at the last minute following the appointment of Antonio Conte as manager.
The veteran, who has played 706 times for the club, is now 35 and has played in all three of Chelsea’s games this season, with Conte recently insisting Terry can still be the club’s defensive rock despite his age.
Leboeuf, however, disagrees and believes it’s time to move on from Terry, Gary Cahill (30) and Branislav Ivanovic (32) in order to bring through a new generation of defenders.
“I am a Chelsea fan, even though I don’t play for them anymore and last season was a very bad season,” Leboeuf told the Sun.
‘I hope this season they will go back to who they are and where they should be — and that is the top four, challenging for the title — but they have to think of the future.
‘Some players are older now. There are not only question marks over John Terry, but Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic as well.
“Those players have had a fantastic time at Chelsea, but maybe now it is time to think about the future.’
Terry could be set for a renaissance with the England national team, with new manager Sam Allardyce keen to speak to him over a possible return.
The Chelsea defender retired from international duty in 2012, with Conte keen to stay out of the discussion surrounding Terry’s possible return to the fold.
“John Terry has a great attitude during training and is working very hard,” Conte said.
“I’m very happy with his commitment. But for the international team, it is important for it to be solved between Sam Allardyce and John Terry.” — Daily Mail.
