Gianfranco Zola gives his verdict on John Terry’s future under Antonio Conte

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Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola has been having his say on how John Terry will fit in under his compatriot Antonio Conte.

Chelsea fans with a banner for John Terry

Chelsea will be looking to bounce back in the Premier League under new boss Conte next season after their fall from grace which prompted the decision to sack Jose Mourinho.

The future of Blues legend Terry has been the source of much speculation since Mourinho’s departure.

But a compromise was eventually reached between the two parties which saw the former England captain sign a new one-year deal at the club.

That’s despite only playing 24 Premier League games for the West Londoners last season.

Conte is a renowned taskmaster who has his teams compact and organised defensively, favouring a 3-5-2 formation as evidenced by his Italian side at Euro 2016.

Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola

‘I think it will suit him very, very well’

And Zola told talkSPORT the new manager and his system could be tailor-made for Terry.

“I think it will be important to see if he is allowed to do the changes (in the transfer market) at the back because if he wants to play the system that in my opinion he likes the most at the moment, the 3-5-2, then I’m sure he’ll be looking for defensive positions,” Zola told Alan Brazil’s Sports Breakfast.

“I think it will suit him (Terry) very, very well because you have three players at the back so that allows you to have more cover behind you and a player with the experience and the quality of John Terry would be perfect.

“Also because John with his ability can play in the middle of the three or on the left of the three and can do so well in that position.”

Chelsea legend John Terry

Could Conte arrival revitalise Terry?

At 35 Terry’s influence on the pitch at Chelsea has been on the wane in recent years.

But Zola makes a salient point that he could still have much to offer in Conte’s favoured system.

Antonio Conte

System not guaranteed success

While that system served Conte well with Juventus and Italy it remains to be seen whether it would be a success in the ultra competitive English top flight.

Next season will see some of the top managerial talent in world football collide in the Premier League with Conte locking horns with the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho, fellow countryman Claudio Ranieri and Slaven Bilic.