Friday 13 January 2017 22:52, UK
John Terry will not be leaving Chelsea in the January transfer window, head coach Antonio Conte has said.
Sky Sports News HQ reported on Wednesday that the 36-year-old centre-back would see out the rest of his contract at Stamford Bridge, which expires in the summer.
There were also reports of Bournemouth making enquiries for Terry's services on loan for the rest of the campaign, after the Blues recalled Nathan Ake from his loan spell at the Vitality Stadium.
However, Cherries boss Eddie Howe said on Friday there had been no discussions over acquiring Terry and Conte later confirmed that the former England international would stay at the club, insisting he was an important player due to his fantastic work on and off the pitch.
Terry has struggled for game-time under the Italian after an early-season injury with Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta preferred at the back.
Terry did feature in the FA Cup third-round defeat of Peterborough last Sunday, alongside the returning Kurt Zouma, but was sent off after 66 minutes, and Conte has also revealed he thinks Terry would make a good manager one day.
"I think that when he decides to finish his career, I think he could have a good prospect to become a manager here," Conte said.
"Not here! Wait - I hope to stay here! But to start a new career as manager. He is clever, he is really good at understanding situations and I think it could be a good prospect for him to start a new career as a manager.
"But when he is finished. For now, leave him to play."
Conte takes his team to reigning champions Leicester on Saturday evening looking to cement their lead at the Premier League summit and bounce back from last week's 2-0 defeat at Totteham - a loss that ended their run of 13 successive wins.
The Italian remains unsure as to whether to use Ake at the weekend following his return from a loan spell on the south coast.
"It is important for him [Ake] to have a bit of time with us," Conte said. "He will be at the match, not sure if he’ll make the bench.
"I’m very pleased he stayed with us. He has improved a lot. He is a good player, good personality. Can play in the middle or left of defence, or even wing-back."
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