I'm happy watching Chelsea win from the sidelines, says Terry

26 November 2016 04:39

John Terry is content to remain a substitute for Chelsea, so long as the Blues keep on winning.

The Chelsea captain was this week ruled out for two to three weeks with a buttocks injury, but he has made only one start - in the EFL Cup defeat at West Ham - and one substitute appearance since returning from an ankle injury in mid-October.

Ahead of Saturday evening's clash with Tottenham, Chelsea are on a six-match winning streak in the Premier League, scoring 17 goals without reply, since Antonio Conte adopted a 3-4-3 formation.

And Terry, who is 36 next month, says he can have no complaints about being omitted of late as David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta are performing superbly.

Terry told SFR Sport, in an interview conducted by former team-mate William Gallas: "It's going to sound crazy, but if I don't get back in the team it means that Chelsea are winning.

"And at the minute we're not conceding goals, it possibly means we're going to win the league. If that's with me, or without me, it doesn't matter.

"I'm in a position now where the team's playing unbelievable, not conceding goals and I can't get in the team.

"That's a good thing and I'm so happy for the boys in the team.

"Sitting there watching you appreciate how well they're playing and if I don't get back in the team it's only a good thing for the club because it means we're carrying on winning.

"In the nicest way, I hope I don't get back in the team, because it means we carry on winning football matches."

Terry's initial ankle injury came against Swansea on September 11 and the Blues subsequently lost at home to Liverpool and at Arsenal.

Former Juventus and Italy midfielder Conte then changed tactics and Chelsea have since beaten Hull, Leicester, Manchester United, Southampton, Everton and Middlesbrough.

Terry, who played in a development game on Monday before suffering his latest injury, added: "It helps as well when you have a manager who is very honest. He used to be a player, so he knows.

"The manager's been straight with me, like he was when I met him in the summer - 'if you're good enough, you will play'.

"At the minute I'm not even asking the question, because I know the answer. The team are playing so well you know you're not going to get back in the team.

"I have a responsibility as Chelsea captain and as a player that's paid by Chelsea to train as well as I can and give everything to the football club.

"If I'm playing, fantastic, if I'm not, my attitude as a player has never been sulky. That's not my character and the club know that."

Source: PA