Conte could keep Terry at Chelsea – Sinclair

Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair expects incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte to make sweeping changes this summer but believes John Terry could yet stay at Stamford Bridge.

Guus Hiddink has steered the club away from the bottom end of the table, losing just one Premier League game since replacing Jose Mourinho as manager in December.

But Chelsea are still only likely to finish in mid-table and Sinclair, who progressed through the youth ranks at the Bridge and played 219 games from 1990 to 1998, told West London Sport: “I really expect there to be a massive clear-out in the summer.

“If Conte plays 3-5-2, as it seems likely, then there will be plenty of players who may not fit that style, so I expect changes and a high turnover.

“A lot of that will be down to wanting to bring in his own people. A new manager always likes to bring in new faces when he joins and I am sure he will be backed in the transfer market.

“It will depend a lot on attitude and there are lots of questions to be answered with the current squad.”

Many Blues players have been linked with summer moves, including Eden Hazard.

‘Huge call’

The Belgian playmaker has failed to score in the Premier League in 26 appearances this season, managing just two goals in two 5-1 wins in the FA Cup.

Despite a miserable year, Sinclair says selling Hazard, who was named PFA Player of the Year for his contribution to Chelsea title-winning season in 2014/15, would be a difficult decision.

“Eden Hazard’s situation is a huge call,” Sinclair said. “If he wants to go then there will no shortage of takers around Europe.

“He showed what a world-class player he is last season and if he is playing well then he is too good a player to let go. How do you replace a player like Eden Hazard? That is not easy.”

And Sinclair believes Terry’s ball-playing ability as a defender could still earn him another contract.

The 35-year-old skipper, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, has said that he will be leaving the club.

But Sinclair feels Conte’s preference for three at the back could lead to Terry being retained after all.

“John can definitely play as a sweeper and that could end up prolonging his career at Chelsea,” Sinclair explained.

“He is a terrific footballer. People sometimes forget what a brilliant passer of the ball he is because he is also such a great defender.”