Chelsea analysis: John Terry will be impossible to replace, but it’s time to move on from Diego Costa

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Simon Johnson21 May 2017

Standard Sport’s Simon Johnson offers his take on another impressive win for Chelsea, and what could be in store next season…

JOHN TERRY WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE

The extent of the tributes to Terry today was enough for anyone watching to know what he means to Chelsea.

Normally the presentation of the Premier League trophy to the champions takes centre stage, but Terry's 717th and last appearance in a blue shirt dominated proceedings this afternoon.

And no wonder. After 22 years and 15 major trophies on his watch, the 36-year-old has been instrumental in the club's rise to prominence.

Now Chelsea have to find someone else, firstly just to take his place in the squad and ideally the first team.

Obviously there are plenty of good centre halfs around, but to find a leader and skipper as good as him is very unlikely.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

WILLIAN STAKES HIS CLAIM FOR AN FA CUP FINAL PLACE ONCE AGAIN

It may be too little too late, but Willian has staged a late rally to get picked in Chelsea's first XI to face Arsenal on Saturday.

After impressing against Watford on Monday, Willian was dangerous once again on what was just his 15th start in the League this season.

Playing with pace and trickery, the visitors found it difficult to contain the Brazil international.

He scored the equaliser too with a fine drilled shot and coach Antonio Conte will have a lot to think about over the next few days.

Pedro, who came on a sub and scored, has been sublime for much of the campaign and will be favourite to line up against the Gunners, but Willian couldn't have done much more to change that.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

TIME FOR CHELSEA TO MOVE ON FROM DIEGO COSTA

If this is Costa's final game at Stamford Bridge, it's fitting that it was marked with an unnecessary yellow card.

In three seasons at the club, Costa has struggled to keep his cool on several occasions.

His spat with John O'Shea and subsequent show of dissent to referee Neil Swarbrick was foolishness in the extreme given the Cup Final is next up.

No-one can dispute that the Spain international has proved value for money in terms of goal-scoring since joining from Atletico Madrid for £32m in 2014.

This is the second time in three seasons he has reached the 20-goal mark in the Premier League and played a major role in a title victory.

But all the controversy, mood swings and ill-discipline has made him an unpredictable character for his managers (Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink and Conte) to deal with.

He appeared to wave goodbye when he was substituted in the second half - a big money offer from Tianjin Quanjian is on the table.

Romelu Lukaku is among the candidates to take his place up front next season. Things will be a lot calmer if that's the case, but Chelsea and the Premier League will miss Costa - the good and the bad.

Photo: REUTERS
REUTERS

MICHY BATSHUAYI SHOULD GO ON LOAN

Forget selling him after one disappointing season, Chelsea need to send Batshuayi elsewhere on a temporary basis.

The Belgium international has clearly found it tough after joining from Marseille for £33.1m last summer.

Conte doesn't rate him that highly, otherwise he would have had to wait for the 37th League game of the campaign to make his first start.

But Batshuayi has demonstrated a lot of potential when given time on the pitch and of course was in the right place and right time to score 'that' goal at West Brom to clinch the title earlier this month. In fact, he ended the campaign with four in his last three appearances with Chelsea's fourth and fifth in injury time.

A number of clubs are keen on signing him, but it is very unlikely Chelsea will get their money back.

Besides, they shouldn't let such a talent, who is rated very highly in Belgium, go so soon. Regular football on loan at West Ham for example is bound to pay dividends.

In Pictures | Chelsea's record-breaking 30 Premier League wins

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CHELSEA SHOULD GIVE CONTE WHATEVER HE WANTS

Giving Conte a contract extension and a pay-rise is the bare minimum the Chelsea board should do after the Italian's superb debut campaign in English football.

To take over a club that finished 10th the year before and lead them to a new Premier League record 30 wins en route to finishing top is an astonishing achievement.

Chelsea plan to sit down and discuss terms after the FA Cup Final - an important thing to do given that Inter Milan still loiter with intent.

But if Conte can work such magic with this squad, imagine what he could do with signings he wants at the club?

There has been much conjecture during the Roman Abramovich era over who actually decides what players are brought to Stamford Bridge.

The former Juventus coach didn't have everything go his way last summer or in the January transfer window.

Conte has earned the right to mould this team and group the way he wants.

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