Antonio Conte admits he's been impressed by Chelsea captain John Terry and believes he can carry on playing at the highest level for as long as he wants to.

Terry was handed a 12 month contract at the end of last season to prolong his stay at Stamford Bridge, where he has resided since the age of 14.

Standard Sport revealed back in May that Terry had to take a significant pay-cut and was warned he'd barely play if he signed the extension.

We reported how the 35-year-old was determined to prove to Conte he could remain first choice and the veteran centre half has started every game of Chelsea's pre-season.

When asked if he's enjoyed Terry's performances and contribution so far, Conte said: “Yes. I must say John is a good example during the training session.

"He has the right attitude and the right behaviour. I must say all the players have a good attitude in the training session also.

“I think one player must play when he feels able to - he has the will to go every day to the training ground to help, to have the training session, with the team and go away many days from your wife or your children.

"If you feel this, I think it’s right to continue to play. Does Terry feel like this? Yes, I think so because I see he has this will.

John Terry's career in pictures 14 show all John Terry's career in pictures 1/14 'Captain, leader, legend' We look back at John Terry's career. Alex Morton/Getty Images 2/14 1999 - Early beginnings Having joined as a youngster of 14 Terry made his debut on 28 October 1998 in a League Cup tie against Aston Villa. He would spend part of the 1999/2000 season on loan at Nottingham Forest but it wasn't long before Terry established himself in the Chelsea first team. Getty Images 3/14 2001 - Starting to make an impression The 2000/01 season was when Terry carved out a regular role at Chelsea, making 23 starts on his way to being voted player of the season. Getty Images 4/14 2004 - Captain fantastic Marcel Desailly's departure saw Terry take the Chelsea armband under new manager Jose Mourinho. It was to be the start of an outstanding relationship between the two that would lead to three league titles. 2004 Getty Images 5/14 2005 - Ending the 50 year wait Terry was the PFA Player of the Year as Chelsea won their first top flight crown since 1955, and just their second overall. 2005 ended with him in the Fifa World XI, reward for a remarkable run of form that was to continue into the following year, when Chelsea defended their title with a whopping 91 points. AFP/Getty Images 6/14 2006 - England captain On his promotion in place of David Beckham Steve McClaren said on Terry: "I'm certain I've got the right man in John Terry. I'm convinced he will prove to be one of the best captains England has ever had."



He was to last little over 18 months before being stripped of the armband by Fabio Capello amid allegations regarding his private life. Reinstated in March 2011 he lasted even less time on his second go, with the FA stripping him over allegations he had racially abused Anton Ferdinand. AFP/Getty Images 7/14 2008 - Heartbreak in Moscow Having overcome injury to make the Champions League final against Manchester United Terry put in a solid performance throughout normal time as the match ended 1-1. Then, with the chance to win the trophy for Chelsea, he slipped on his way to take his penalty. United would win the shootout 6-5. 2008 Getty Images 8/14 2010: Champion again Under Carlo Ancelotti Chelsea claimed their third title under Terry's leadership, and he was to make it a double by captaining the side to an FA Cup final win over Portsmouth. 2010 Getty Images 9/14 2012: European glory at last He may not have been able to play in the final but Terry did make himself the centre of attention in the Allianz Arena, sprinting on to the pitch in full kit (including shinpads) after Didier Drogba's winning penalty. It was to be the decision that spawned a thousand memes. AFP/Getty Images 10/14 2015: Back to his best Under Rafa Benitez in 2013 his Chelsea career seemed over, with the interim manager frequently leaving Terry out. But the return of Mourinho reinvigorated the club captain, who was to become only the second outfield player to play every minute in a title-winning side. 2015 Getty Images 11/14 2016: Moving on? Guus Hiddink had made clear that he thought Chelsea ought to offer Terry a new contract. The hierarchy disagreed. And so, in shock circumstances, the career of one of the club's greatest-ever players appeared to have entered its final months... Mike Hewitt/Getty Images 12/14 2016: Or staying put? Ahead of their final match of the season, Chelsea confirmed that they had offered their captain a new one-year extension . Terry's Chelsea future remains in his hands. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) 13/14 2016: Done deal! The Chelsea captain would indeed put pen to paper and signed a new one-year deal with the club. This content is subject to copyright. 14/14 2017: Captain moving on Antonio Conte's arrival as coach saw Terry's playing time limited for the 2016-17 season despite a switch to a three-man central defence, and the club confirmed in mid-april that their captain would be leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign AFP/Getty Images 1/14 'Captain, leader, legend' We look back at John Terry's career. Alex Morton/Getty Images 2/14 1999 - Early beginnings Having joined as a youngster of 14 Terry made his debut on 28 October 1998 in a League Cup tie against Aston Villa. He would spend part of the 1999/2000 season on loan at Nottingham Forest but it wasn't long before Terry established himself in the Chelsea first team. Getty Images 3/14 2001 - Starting to make an impression The 2000/01 season was when Terry carved out a regular role at Chelsea, making 23 starts on his way to being voted player of the season. Getty Images 4/14 2004 - Captain fantastic Marcel Desailly's departure saw Terry take the Chelsea armband under new manager Jose Mourinho. It was to be the start of an outstanding relationship between the two that would lead to three league titles. 2004 Getty Images 5/14 2005 - Ending the 50 year wait Terry was the PFA Player of the Year as Chelsea won their first top flight crown since 1955, and just their second overall. 2005 ended with him in the Fifa World XI, reward for a remarkable run of form that was to continue into the following year, when Chelsea defended their title with a whopping 91 points. AFP/Getty Images 6/14 2006 - England captain On his promotion in place of David Beckham Steve McClaren said on Terry: "I'm certain I've got the right man in John Terry. I'm convinced he will prove to be one of the best captains England has ever had."



He was to last little over 18 months before being stripped of the armband by Fabio Capello amid allegations regarding his private life. Reinstated in March 2011 he lasted even less time on his second go, with the FA stripping him over allegations he had racially abused Anton Ferdinand. AFP/Getty Images 7/14 2008 - Heartbreak in Moscow Having overcome injury to make the Champions League final against Manchester United Terry put in a solid performance throughout normal time as the match ended 1-1. Then, with the chance to win the trophy for Chelsea, he slipped on his way to take his penalty. United would win the shootout 6-5. 2008 Getty Images 8/14 2010: Champion again Under Carlo Ancelotti Chelsea claimed their third title under Terry's leadership, and he was to make it a double by captaining the side to an FA Cup final win over Portsmouth. 2010 Getty Images 9/14 2012: European glory at last He may not have been able to play in the final but Terry did make himself the centre of attention in the Allianz Arena, sprinting on to the pitch in full kit (including shinpads) after Didier Drogba's winning penalty. It was to be the decision that spawned a thousand memes. AFP/Getty Images 10/14 2015: Back to his best Under Rafa Benitez in 2013 his Chelsea career seemed over, with the interim manager frequently leaving Terry out. But the return of Mourinho reinvigorated the club captain, who was to become only the second outfield player to play every minute in a title-winning side. 2015 Getty Images 11/14 2016: Moving on? Guus Hiddink had made clear that he thought Chelsea ought to offer Terry a new contract. The hierarchy disagreed. And so, in shock circumstances, the career of one of the club's greatest-ever players appeared to have entered its final months... Mike Hewitt/Getty Images 12/14 2016: Or staying put? Ahead of their final match of the season, Chelsea confirmed that they had offered their captain a new one-year extension . Terry's Chelsea future remains in his hands. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) 13/14 2016: Done deal! The Chelsea captain would indeed put pen to paper and signed a new one-year deal with the club. This content is subject to copyright. 14/14 2017: Captain moving on Antonio Conte's arrival as coach saw Terry's playing time limited for the 2016-17 season despite a switch to a three-man central defence, and the club confirmed in mid-april that their captain would be leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign AFP/Getty Images

"Is he still important to this team? Yes. In every team there are some players with great experience.

The players Antonio Conte wants to transform Chelsea this summer 13 show all The players Antonio Conte wants to transform Chelsea this summer 1/13 Chelsea's new manager signed a three-year contract worth £14.3m after tax. But which players will the 46-year-old look to bring in?



Scroll through Standard Sport's gallery to find out more about Conte's potential transfer targets. Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images 2/13 Romelu Lukaku The Belgium international left Chelsea for Everton in a £28m deal just two years ago after growing frustrated over a lack of first-team opportunities but could be set for a sensational return.



Chelsea are prepared to pay as much as £67m to seal the Belgian’s return to Stamford Bridge, with Everton holding out for as much as £75m.



However, Standard Sport understands that Lukaku could yet submit a transfer request to force through the move. Chris Brunskill/Getty Images 3/13 Diego Lopez Chelsea have been looking at potential replacements for Asmir Begovic and held talks with Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda, only for him to opt for Crystal Palace because he was told he would be their No.1.



The Blues are now looking at the experienced Lopez, who made only nine appearances for AC Milan last term after losing his place to teenager Gianluigi Donnarumma. Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images 4/13 Alvaro Morata Chelsea made a move to sign the Spaniard at the beginning of June but must now wait until after Euro 2016 as the striker ponders his future. Real Madrid have activated a buy-back clause inserted into Morata's contract when he left the Bernabeu for Juventus in 2014. But it is understood the Spanish giants will then look to again offload the 23-year-old for a sizeable profit. (David Ramos/Getty Images) 5/13 Kalidou Koulibaly Conte wants a centre-half and Koulibaly is his main target despite Napoli saying they want the 25‑year‑old to stay.



But the club fear they will have to pay in excess of £50million to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli – and smash the British transfer record for a defender. Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images 6/13 Graziano Pelle After securing the signing of Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi, Conte will look to bring Italy striker Pelle to Stamford Bridge. Claudio Villa/Getty Images 7/13 Radja Nainggolan Chelsea had hoped to have concluded a deal for Roma’s Belgian star in a £31million deal, but Standard Sport understands that they have started looking at alternate targets, such as Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante, after growing frustrated by negotiations. Getty 8/13 Leonardo Bonucci The Juventus defender hugely admired by Conte, who he coached at Juventus between 2011-14 and has coached him for the past two years in the national team Marco Luzzani/Getty Images 9/13 Mauro Icardi The Inter Milan captain, still only 23, would be the younger striking option that Conte could favour alongside a more experienced man up front. Despite snubbing a move away from the Nerazzurri and signing a new deal at Inter last summer, the former Chelsea target could be encouraged to come to England with the prospect of a salary increase especially as Inter are struggling to secure Champions League football for next season. Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images 10/13 Paul Pogba The France international has been on the radar of Europe's top clubs for some time now, but rejected a move away from Juventus last summer after saying it wasn't the right time to depart. Only a big money move would tempt Juve to part with their prized asset and if Chelsea do not secure Champions League football for next season, a transfer for Pogba would prove difficult. 11/13 Edinson Cavani The Uruguay striker could be the experienced forward Conte is looking for, and will also be a viable option as PSG are thought to be ready to listen to offers for the 29-year-old. Cavani would arrive to Chelsea in good form too - he's scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, including the winning strike against Chelsea in the Champions League last-16 first-leg in February. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images 12/13 Gonzalo Higuain Higuain has also attracted interest from Arsenal during recent months but Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has always warned that interested parties will have to pay the striker’s £65.8m buyout clause to get hold of him. (Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) 13/13 Kostas Manolas Chelsea have made a fresh enquiry for Roma's Kostas Manolas, who has been earmarked as a replacement for captain John Terry in the back four. (Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) 1/13 Chelsea's new manager signed a three-year contract worth £14.3m after tax. But which players will the 46-year-old look to bring in?



Scroll through Standard Sport's gallery to find out more about Conte's potential transfer targets. Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images 2/13 Romelu Lukaku The Belgium international left Chelsea for Everton in a £28m deal just two years ago after growing frustrated over a lack of first-team opportunities but could be set for a sensational return.



Chelsea are prepared to pay as much as £67m to seal the Belgian’s return to Stamford Bridge, with Everton holding out for as much as £75m.



However, Standard Sport understands that Lukaku could yet submit a transfer request to force through the move. Chris Brunskill/Getty Images 3/13 Diego Lopez Chelsea have been looking at potential replacements for Asmir Begovic and held talks with Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda, only for him to opt for Crystal Palace because he was told he would be their No.1.



The Blues are now looking at the experienced Lopez, who made only nine appearances for AC Milan last term after losing his place to teenager Gianluigi Donnarumma. Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images 4/13 Alvaro Morata Chelsea made a move to sign the Spaniard at the beginning of June but must now wait until after Euro 2016 as the striker ponders his future. Real Madrid have activated a buy-back clause inserted into Morata's contract when he left the Bernabeu for Juventus in 2014. But it is understood the Spanish giants will then look to again offload the 23-year-old for a sizeable profit. (David Ramos/Getty Images) 5/13 Kalidou Koulibaly Conte wants a centre-half and Koulibaly is his main target despite Napoli saying they want the 25‑year‑old to stay.



But the club fear they will have to pay in excess of £50million to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli – and smash the British transfer record for a defender. Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images 6/13 Graziano Pelle After securing the signing of Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi, Conte will look to bring Italy striker Pelle to Stamford Bridge. Claudio Villa/Getty Images 7/13 Radja Nainggolan Chelsea had hoped to have concluded a deal for Roma’s Belgian star in a £31million deal, but Standard Sport understands that they have started looking at alternate targets, such as Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante, after growing frustrated by negotiations. Getty 8/13 Leonardo Bonucci The Juventus defender hugely admired by Conte, who he coached at Juventus between 2011-14 and has coached him for the past two years in the national team Marco Luzzani/Getty Images 9/13 Mauro Icardi The Inter Milan captain, still only 23, would be the younger striking option that Conte could favour alongside a more experienced man up front. Despite snubbing a move away from the Nerazzurri and signing a new deal at Inter last summer, the former Chelsea target could be encouraged to come to England with the prospect of a salary increase especially as Inter are struggling to secure Champions League football for next season. Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images 10/13 Paul Pogba The France international has been on the radar of Europe's top clubs for some time now, but rejected a move away from Juventus last summer after saying it wasn't the right time to depart. Only a big money move would tempt Juve to part with their prized asset and if Chelsea do not secure Champions League football for next season, a transfer for Pogba would prove difficult. 11/13 Edinson Cavani The Uruguay striker could be the experienced forward Conte is looking for, and will also be a viable option as PSG are thought to be ready to listen to offers for the 29-year-old. Cavani would arrive to Chelsea in good form too - he's scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, including the winning strike against Chelsea in the Champions League last-16 first-leg in February. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images 12/13 Gonzalo Higuain Higuain has also attracted interest from Arsenal during recent months but Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has always warned that interested parties will have to pay the striker’s £65.8m buyout clause to get hold of him. (Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) 13/13 Kostas Manolas Chelsea have made a fresh enquiry for Roma's Kostas Manolas, who has been earmarked as a replacement for captain John Terry in the back four. (Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

"And I think this experience counts during the season. If you play, but also if you don’t play, it’s important. The experience helps transfer the right concept to the team.

"To explain the difference between to win a game and to lose or to draw. All players are important with great experience and it’s important also that I call him in the starting XI to have a good performance and to play well."

Conte agreed to become permanent coach in April, but has only been working with his players for over three weeks because of his duties as Italy coach at Euro 2016.

The former Juventus midfielder admits Terry has been a great help to him as he settles in at Chelsea and tries to communicate his methods to the squad.

When asked if Terry had given him much guidance and told him what the club is all about, he added: "Yes, he has. I spoke with him. In the future it’s important to have this relationship because he is the captain of our team and it’s important also to transfer sometimes the message.

"I think to have a good relationship is very important with John and the other players, always with great education and respect. I give this but I demand this.

