ANTONIO CONTE ADMITS he has not decided on the formation he will use for Chelsea’s new season.
The 46-year-old was officially unveiled as the new Chelsea boss on Thursday having guided Italy to the quarter-finals at Euro 2016.
Conte, who has won five Serie A titles as a player and three as a manager, is known for using a 3-5-2 system during his time at Juventus and with Italy’s national team, but he insists the formation he uses in the Premier League will depend on the ability of his players.
“Usually, when I arrive in a new team, I search to find the right positions for the players,” said Conte. “When I was in Italy I liked to say that the coach is like a tailor. You must build the best dress for a team, and you have to respect their characteristics and talents. Then you decide.
“In the past I started my seasons with one idea and then changed it because I saw this system was not good.
“Three at the back? Four at the back? It’s not important. What’s important is the right spirit of the team and give good organisation. I think I can improve my players a lot.”
Meanwhile, the Italian has insisted John Terry will always be Chelsea captain, with his influence felt both on and off the pitch.
He was quizzed on Terry’s role in his first-team squad following two successive seasons of speculation over the defender’s future.
Terry went on to pen another new one-year contract in late May, six weeks after an agreement with Conte was announced by the club, and the former Italy head coach underlined the captain’s importance to him.
“John Terry signed a contract as a player, not as a different role,” he told reporters.
“He’s the captain of this team and a great player, with great personality and great charisma. I want to speak with him because he knows the club and the right spirit for the club.
“For me he is an important player. All the players know that I see the pitch during training to choose my starting eleven.
“John Terry is captain, when he plays and when he doesn’t play. He is the captain always.”
Conte also confirmed his involvement in Terry being handed another contract extension, which was reported at the time to involve a heavy reduction in salary.
He added: “John Terry is an important player for me, for the fans, for the club. We made all the decisions together, I’m very pleased he signed a new deal with Chelsea.
“I spoke with him on different occasions, the most important thing was when John signed he was very happy.”
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