Mikel salutes Conte

John Mikel Obi has highlighted the key role played by Antonio Conte in keeping Chelsea captain, John Terry, at the club this season.
As Chelsea’s torrid Premier League title defence drew to a close, Terry had given a speech to the fans and was being linked with moves abroad.
However Conte was recruited to take over the beleaguered Blues and the Italian managed to help the club persuade Terry to sign a one-year deal in May.
“I think Conte played a big part in that contract that JT got,”Obi said, adding: “I think if JT said no, then obviously I don’t think the club would have done that, but I think the fans as well got right behind JT and the fans really wanted him to stay.
“He is the leader, he is the captain and the fans really think with JT we have a better chance of winning the trophy again. I think everyone came together the fans, Antonio and the board did a massive job to make sure that John stays.
“I think JT will definitely be in Chelsea forever, so I can always wish him well, even when he retires, I think he will always be involved with this football club.”
Obi revealed that he regularly spoke to Terry last campaign regarding his future.
“I am very happy and I was very pleased for him.” said the midfielder.
“He lives right next door to me, he is my neighbour, so I spoke to him quite a lot when the whole thing was going through, I think for him, he is Chelsea through and through and couldn’t see himself playing somewhere else. That is the truth about it.”
Obi, who would have become the club’s longest serving player had Terry left, added: “He wanted to stay, he wanted to stay and get, at least, one more year and then let’s see what happens with that. I am very pleased that the manager came to an agreement and offered him a new deal.”
Obi and Terry have helped the Blues lift the Champions League, Premier League and Europa League in recent seasons.
The 29-year-old is impressed how his captain can still be such a force in the Chelsea back line.