England centre-back Gary Cahill has been named Chelsea's new captain on a permanent basis.

Cahill skippered the Blues for long spells of the 2016-17 campaign, although Chelsea legend John Terry was officially the Premier League club's captain last term.

Terry left Stamford Bridge for Aston Villa this summer, however, and Blues boss Antonio Conte has revealed that 31-year-old defender Cahill will lead the team into the new season.

"I think that it's right to continue with Cahill, if he plays, it's right he's the captain," the London Evening Standard quotes Conte as saying. "Why? Because he stayed in Chelsea for many years and played a lot of games and showed good characteristics to be this."

Cahill joined Chelsea from Bolton Wanderers in 2011, and the 55-time England international has made 239 appearances for the London giants, managing 25 goals in the process.