Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel believes the arrival of Antonio Conte was key in ensuring captain John Terry stayed on at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues' skipper was in limbo regarding his future with the club apparently refusing to renew his contract midway through the season.

However he was granted a one-year extension and Mikel believes the time of Conte’s appointment was pivotal in getting the deal done.

Terry’s defensive qualities have since been evident this year given that in his absence Chelsea have lost two consecutive games shipping five goals in the process.

Speaking to Goal the Nigerian Mikel said: "I think Conte played a big part in that contract that JT got. 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.

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"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. I am very happy and I was very pleased for him. 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. 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.”

Terry is expected to return to the Chelsea team for this weekend’s match against Hull City as Conte looks to get his team back to winning ways.