Chelsea legend John Terry played his last game for the Blues on May 21, 2017, in a 5–1 home win over Sunderland, coming off in the 26th minute.
Then Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte’s decision to sub off Terry in the 26th minute was highly criticised at the time, but the Italian has opened up on his relationship with the Chelsea legend and said that it was a pleasure to grant him his wish.
Conte hailed Terry as a consummate professional.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Conte said: “It was a great privilege for me to be the coach of a Chelsea legend like John Terry.
“We are talking about a top man, a really good man and then a top player. He helped me a lot in my first season in and out of the pitch. “He was very important in the training ground, during the sessions to keep the concentration standards high.”
“He decided he wanted this because 26 was his squad number and for me it was a pleasure to give him this opportunity,” Conte added. “I will never be able to thank him enough. He was very important for me and our team.”
Terry made nine league appearances in his final season at the club, including six starts, with his final game coming in the 5-1 win over Sunderland on the final day, to cap off 717 appearances for the Blues.