Chelsea deny Terry exit rumour

Chelsea insist John Terry has not held talks over leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, with Antonio Conte espousing his enduring importance to the Blues.
Captain Terry has featured in just five of Chelsea’s 15 Premier League games this term, only one of which has come since Conte switched to a three-man defence and embarked on a nine-match winning run.
The former England captain was the subject of reports on Tuesday that he had been told he would not be offered fresh terms for next season, having only committed to the current campaign in May – after revealing that he had been told similar in January this year.
However, a Chelsea spokesman said: “It’s the kind of discussion we have with players much later in the season.
“That discussion has not taken place between John and the club, it will take place later in the season.”
And Conte was quick to laud Terry’s continued impact on the first team from behind the scenes.
“John is our captain and I think he’s doing a good job,” said the Italian ahead of today’s Premier League match with rock-bottom Sunderland.
“He’s not playing and he’s helping me a lot in the changing room, to send a right message to the players.
“He loves this club and I think it’s important now to be focused, I don’t think about the future.”