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Chelsea captain John Terry set to force Antonio Conte’s hand with injury

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

SWANSEA, WALES - SEPTEMBER 11: Jack Cork of Swansea City shakes hands with Chelsea phyiso Steve Hughes as John Terry of Chelsea is given treatment after the Premier League match between Swansea City and Chelsea at Liberty Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES - SEPTEMBER 11: Jack Cork of Swansea City shakes hands with Chelsea phyiso Steve Hughes as John Terry of Chelsea is given treatment after the Premier League match between Swansea City and Chelsea at Liberty Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea’s questionable moves in the transfer market are to be tested if John Terry fails to make a swift recovery from a severely swollen ankle.

Chelsea fans have spent the past few weeks debating whether the return of David Luiz is beneficial for the club. They will more than likely see their hypotheses tested on Friday due to John Terry’s ankle injury. Antonio Conte may be forced to give the Brazilian his re-debut.

The Blues drew 2-2 with Swansea City on Sunday, in a bizarre game that had it all. In addition to a disappointing result, there was a concerning development. As the game neared the final whistle, Terry fell awkwardly on his ankle. Being the warrior that he is, the defender carried on but it was clear he was in severe discomfort.

He then left the Liberty Stadium on crutches before sharing this video of his sickly swollen ankle on Instagram.

That is rather large.

Many people know the pains of a swollen ankle. Hence they will also know that these issues don’t disappear in four days. Chelsea’s next game is against Liverpool on Friday night and the captain can only be regarded as a doubt.

With that, Antonio Conte will need to look for a replacement. Before Transfer Deadline Day, there was no obvious one, but with the arrival of David Luiz, Conte has a centre-back to call upon.

Luiz is widely expected to become a regular starter for the Blues, but the manager wanted him to have more time adjusting to his new teammates. Terry’s injury will call him into action earlier than Conte probably desired.

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As a result, Chelsea fans will finally get to see whether Luiz is a £32 million coup, or a £32 million disaster.

During his first stint at Stamford Bridge, Luiz proved a popular player. However, his defensive abilities were called into question on numerous occasions with consensus labelling him as a poorly-defined midfielder.

Luiz will get a second chance to show that he is a reliable man at the back. Conte, meanwhile, may choose to try out one of his alternative formations.

The Italian has spoke about his intention to deploy the three-man defence that he has become synonymous with. At the start of the season, he felt that the resources weren’t sufficient for the system. Luiz’s arrival has changed that and even makes the formation a necessity.

A lot of has been said about Luiz and Conte’s formations, but John Terry’s injury means that Chelsea may have to test both of these factors earlier than expected.

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