LONDON -- Antonio Conte insists that John Terry is capable of playing in Chelsea's new-look back three but said his captain will remain vital to the club regardless of whether or not he is playing.
Terry, 35, is fit after recovering from strained ankle ligaments sustained in last month's 2-2 draw with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, but only made the substitutes' bench in last weekend's win against Leicester City and is far from guaranteed to return to Chelsea's starting XI when Manchester United visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Chelsea have kept back-to-back clean sheets in Premier League victories over Hull City and Leicester since Conte opted to switch to a 3-4-3 system, with David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta all performing solidly in a three-man defence.
There have been questions as to whether Terry's age and relative lack of pace could limit his usefulness in Chelsea's new formation, but Conte said: "I think [Terry] can play [in a back three] and we are working with him, with David, with Azpi [Azpilicueta], with [Branislav] Ivanovic also when he comes back from his injury, and with Cahill. Also [Ola] Aina can play in this role.
"It's important to work a lot because it's not easy, and it's different from playing with two central defenders, but I'm getting a good reply in this aspect.
"John is an important player, a very important player. He's our captain and he's been in this club for many years and for me he's a great help. When I call him to start or if he doesn't start the game, he's a very important player for us -- for the situation on the pitch and the changing room.
"When you are the captain, you have to put your commitment into the team, not only on the pitch but outside. The captain always helps the coach. I was captain at Juventus, I did this for five years and I know.
"When I was a footballer and I was captain, sometimes it happened that I didn't play. Not sometimes, often! But I always helped the team and the coach to create the right atmosphere. It's normal, this. For me John is a good player and when I call him to play my expectations are always very high."
Luiz's composed performances in the centre of Chelsea's back three have attracted particular praise, and Conte was keen to highlight the qualities that the divisive Brazilian brings to his team.
"I think David has good experience," Conte added. "In his career he won a lot, played in good teams and he has very good technique.
"When you have David Luiz you can play from the back, and in my football I love to play from the back. He's also a good defender. We are working a lot with him but also with the other defenders to stay focused in every single moment of the game. But I'm pleased he came back to Chelsea."