Chelsea boss Antonio Conte eager to promote more Academy graduates to first-team squad

Sam Long17 February 2017

Antonio Conte says he wants to "absorb" more players from Chelsea's Academy into his first-team squad in the future.

Conte took charge at Stamford Bridge last summer and has enjoyed immediate success in west London.

The Italian coach has led Chelsea to an enviable position at the top of the Premier League table, with the club on course to win their fifth top-flight title of the modern era.

Conte has opted against widespread rotation throughout the season, instead keeping his faith in a select pool of players, some of whom will be rested in tomorrow's FA Cup clash against Wolves.

But the 47-year-old has often still managed to find room in his squad for some promising graduates from Chelsea's Academy and is keen for their number to increase during his tenure.

"The Academy is doing a really great job," Conte told a pre-match press conference.

"In my squad we have a lot of young players from the Academy - [Nathaniel] Chalobah, [Nathan] Ake, Ruben [Loftus-Cheek], [Ola] Aina - and it’s important to have a link between the first team and Academy.

"These young players have stayed with me because they deserve it, not because I want to give them a gift. In the future I hope to absorb many players from the Academy," he added.

Musonda is yet to make a senior appearance for Chelsea - and has missed out for the trip to Molineux - but Conte has hinted the 20-year-old could soon be involved in first-team action.

"Charly Musonda is not in the squad, he’s working very hard and very well in training and he’s having supplementary work with the physical coach.

"Tomorrow he will play with the Under-23s against Man City. Now I think it’s better for him to play a whole game and stay with us.

"In the next games if he deserves to come with us I’m open to that eventuality," Conte added.

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