Chelsea's John Terry to play vs Walsall in League Cup as Mourinho makes wholesale changes

John Terry is facing the humiliation of playing for Chelsea’s second-string side in their Capital One Cup tie at Walsall.

Terry was axed for the huge clash with bitter London rivals Arsenal on Saturday - having already been left out of their Champions League side last week - in a clear sign that his days look numbered at Stamford Bridge.

And boss Jose Mourinho confirmed that Terry will play against the League One Saddlers on Wednesday, when he is likely to make wholesale changes and use fringe squad players, as the Blues begin their defence of the trophy they won in March.

It means 34-year-old Terry has gone from playing every minute of every game in the Premier League last season to now being left on the bench for the big games and used in the League Cup.

Mourinho also confirmed he will take bad-boy striker Diego Costa out of the firing line at the 11,300-capacity Banks' Stadium.

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“Yes, I (will) play (Radamel) Falcao. Diego goes on the bench,” said Mourinho.

He was then asked if Terry would play at Walsall and answered: “Sure, of course.”

We revealed last week that Terry and Branislav Ivanovic are sweating on their Chelsea futures as they are out of contract at the end of the season.

It currently looks worse for captain and centre-back Terry as he has now been relegated down the pecking order and Mourinho is certain to go back for Everton defender John Stones after having four bids turned down in the summer.

Meanwhile, midfielder Nemanja Matic believes that win over Arsenal can kick-start the champions' campaign.

Chelsea won just one of their first five league games, but have now put together back-to-back victories - and clean sheets - against Maccabi Tel Aviv, in their Champions League opener, and the Gunners.

Matic said: “Maybe mentally we are stronger. We recognise the situation – it’s time to win.

“We had some pressure - more than normal - before the game because we had only four points. So this game was very important for us to win to get some more confidence.

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“This is just the beginning. We started the season with confidence but when you lose some games, of course you lose confidence. Game like this give you more confidence.

“In two games, we scored six and we didn’t concede, so it’s very important for confidence and team spirit.”