Chelsea manager Antonio Conte hints John Terry will play key role in 3-4-3 formation

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Sam Long26 October 2016

Chelsea captain John Terry is expected to play a key role in Antonio Conte's new 3-4-3 system in tonight's EFL Cup clash against West Ham.

Terry has not featured for Chelsea since September's draw with Swansea but Standard Sport understands he will lead his side out at the London Stadium after recovering from a troublesome ankle injury.

Conte has made a significant tactical tweak to his side during Terry's absence, switching away from a traditional four-man defence to three central defenders, who are supported by wing backs when necessary.

The Italian's decision has been championed by his players and has led to an upturn in results with Chelsea just one point off top spot in the Premier League table after securing three successive victories since the formation was introduced.

Conte has explained the dynamic that he expects from his trio of defenders within the formation, hinting Terry could be fielded in a central role against the Hammers ahead of David Luiz due to the Englishman's tactical acumen.

"The central defenders on the right and the left must be very fast and aggressive," said the Italian.

"The players that play in the middle of the three defenders must be more tactical, must reflect more and find the right position, and also call the line up and down.

"In these last three games we did very well. It’s normal when you play with the same players. They take confidence in the role to play together.

"It’s important also for example in this game, the cup, to find a new solution. If you have during the season an injury, then it’s important to have a good solution ready," Conte told the club's official website.

John Terry's career in pictures

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Luiz has been deployed alongside Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill in recent weeks but the Brazilian seems likely to make way for Terry, whose ability to read the game has long made up for a lack of pace and outranks any of his teammates at Stamford Bridge.

Conte's eagerness to have pace on both flanks next to the 'brains of the operation' suggests Luiz and Kurt Zouma will be at the top of the pecking order ahead of both Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic.

And a full range of options is within touching distance for Conte as Zouma has been pencilled in to join first-team training on Thursday while Ivanovic is close to returning from a calf problem.

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