Chelsea star John Terry set for Tottenham snub: Antonio Conte to start this player instead

Posted Saturday, April 22, 2017 by Express.co.uk

JOHN TERRY has been denied a Wembley farewell with Chelsea today, with manager Antonio Conte set to hand a semi-final chance to youngster Nathan Ake.

England centre-back Gary Cahill is ruled out of the semi-final showdown with Tottenham tonight with gastro-enteritis, and Conte will turn to Ake, who has played only two games since returning from a loan spell at Bournemouth in January.

Ake, 22, spent the first half of the season at the Vitality Stadium where his performances were impressive enough for Conte to recall him. And the Italian is ready to bank on his pace over Terry’s experience against Tottenham’s speedy attack.

Chelsea star John Terry set for Tottenham snub: Antonio Conte to start this player instead
John Terry is set to be overlooked for Chelsea's FA Cup clash with Tottenham

Conte said: “Nathan deserves to have this chance. He has shown great commitment. He has worked very hard. His behaviour has been fantastic.

"Ake played every game with Bournemouth, but he wanted to come back to us work together and help us fight for the title. He’s a good player, ready to have this opportunity, he deserves this and I trust him. I have no problem with this decision.

"In this system the right position for John is in the middle of the three central defenders, which is where David Luiz plays.”

Chelsea star John Terry set for Tottenham snub: Antonio Conte to start this player instead
Nathan Ake has played just twice for Chelsea since returning from Bournemouth

Chelsea announced at the beginning of the week that Terry would be leaving the club when his contract runs out at the end of the season after 22 years at Stamford Bridge.

Conte said: “John for me has been very important on and off the pitch. But he wants to play regularly and we have to respect his decision.”