John Terry key link to Chelsea dressing room for Antonio Conte who praises defender's leadership qualities

John Terry has been leading by example during pre-season, according to new Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte.

The 35-year-old appeared to be heading out of Stamford Bridge after 18 years of service before being handed a new one-season contract by Blues chiefs.

Conte was consulted over the decision to sanction a new deal for Terry and one of his first acts as manager was to confirm the veteran would continue as captain.

Chelsea’s youngsters idolise the defender as he remains the last academy product to truly cement a starting place in the club’s first-team having risen through the ranks.

It has been a busy summer for Conte’s Chelsea as they completed their preparations for the new Premier League campaign with a 4-2 win over Werder Bremen on Sunday.

Eden Hazard, Oscar, Diego Costa and Pedro all netted at the Westerstadion in the final action for these players before entertaining West Ham next Monday night.

Terry was substituted as a precaution after taking a blow to the head as he once again showed the sort of bravery that has made him a favourite with the fans.

Tours of Austria and the United States had preceded the German outing and Conte admits he has relied on his skipper at times to help ease the lines of communication.

Terry is still seen as a vital part of the Chelsea side and his new boss thinks he can be just as influential when he is on the sidelines as he is when starting games this season.

"John has always played for this club," he explained. “I think he is in the history of this club.

“And it's important for me that he can explain what it means to play for this club, what it means to wear this shirt, this badge. I think it's important in the dressing room.

“I have spoken with him. In the future it's important to have this relationship because he is the captain of our team and it's important also to transfer sometimes message.

“I think to have a good relationship is very important with John and the other players, always with great education and respect.

John Terry's Chelsea career highlights in pictures:

“In every team there are some players with great experience. And I think this experience counts during the season. If you play but also if you don't play, it's important.

“The experience helps transfer the right concept to the team. And I must say John is a good example during the training session.

“He has the right attitude and the right behaviour, though I must say all the players have a good attitude in the training session."

Terry will be looking to make the most of his contract reprieve this season as every extra year could potentially be his last in west London.

The man himself has already suggested he wants to wait another two years before hanging up his boots and moving towards a coaching career.

However, Conte is no stranger to working with older players and is refusing to rule out the prospect of the former England skipper signing another contract extension.

"I think a player must play when he feels able to,” Conte added.

“When he has the will to go every day to the training ground, to have the training session with the team, to go away for many days from your wife or your children.

“If you feel this, I think it's right to continue to play. I think he has this this because I see he has this will.”