Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte reveals why he is eternally grateful to Blues legend John Terry
Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has reflected fondly on the role of John Terry during the Italian's title-winning campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Conte, who arrived at Chelsea in 2016, guided the Blues to the Premier League title in his first season at the helm.
Three years ago on Tuesday, Michy Batshuayi struck a late winner at West Brom to confirm Chelsea as champions of the 2016/17 campaign.
It was the perfect send-off for a 36-year-old John Terry, who marked the end of a 22-year career with the Blues by lifting another trophy.
Despite only featuring nine times that season, Conte, now in charge of Inter Milan, reveals the former England captain's professionalism proved a great help both on and off the pitch.
"It was a great privilege for me to be the coach of a Chelsea legend like John Terry," Conte told .
"We are talking about a top man, a really good man and then a top player. He helped me a lot in my first season in and out of the pitch.
"He was very important in the training ground, during the sessions to keep the concentration standards high."
Terry's career threatened to end on a sour note after he was sent off during a 3-2 defeat at Sunderland in the last game of the club's woeful title defence in 2015/16.
But after signing a one-year extension, he received a fitting farewell in front of the Chelsea faithful, who applauded him off the pitch in the 26th-minute of the final match of the 2016/17 season - ironically against Sunderland.
"He decided he wanted this because 26 was his squad number and for me it was a pleasure to give him this opportunity," Conte added.
"I will never be able to thank him enough. He was very important for me and our team."