Carragher: Terry & Costa exits to blame for Chelsea struggles

Joe Williams

Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea are undergoing a tough season primarily because they badly miss the influence of John Terry and Diego Costa.

Conte allowed the duo to move on last summer following Chelsea’s title-winning campaign – and Sky Sports pundit Carragher says the Italian blundered massively in allowing the pair to leave.

“There’s no doubt they lost something with captain John Terry going, with what he was like around the training ground and in the dressing room, and of course they miss Costa,” he said.

“There are few strikers who can do what he does.”

Carragher, however, does understand why the Italian decided to let the controversial striker move back to Atletico Madrid.

“People say Conte could have managed that situation better, but Costa caused a lot of problems and it will have been difficult for the manager to forget about him not wanting to play in a title run-in.

“If you’re in Conte’s position, you’re not going to accept that. It’s then up to you to replace him with quality.”