Conte Praises Youth After Win

Bleacher Report
Its easy to get carried away after a win like Wednesday nights 5-1 youth-inspired
beatdown of Nottingham Forest, and get a little ahead of ourselves regarding their
prospects. Conte did after all follow through on his proverbial Academy Day promise,
not just with Charly Musonda and Kenedy, but with a trio of teenagers off the bench, who
had a combined 1 appearance for the senior team beforehand.

Fortunately, Contes here to give out just the right amount of praise. Granted, he says the
same thing about almost every player more work! always improve! but thats partly
because those are his core beliefs. And meeting those beliefs to his satisfaction should
result in future opportunities.

We have to be competitive in every game and if the players answer like they did tonight
I will continue to give opportunities. We must go game by game but when I have this
type of answer Im very happy.

Musonda was the star of the night, overshadowing even Batshuayis hat-trick or Hazards
effortless wizardry, with the debut and debut goal, and a celebration to match, five years
in the making.

I think Charly played very well and he is trying to work a lot to improve physically
because the Premier League is very strong in terms of the physical aspect. Hes a talented
player and he has to continue in this way and when there is the opportunity to help us he
must do this.

Physicality is less of a concern with Kenedy, who showed two seasons ago that he can
already be a useful player, even when played out of position. He now appears to be stuck
in the wing-back role, but at least hes playing and getting his career back on track after
the wasted season last year and the controversy of the summer in China.

Kenedy played very well and gave a good answer. Some players havent played a lot
and its important to continue to work. I hope the game improved their confidence and
they must continue in this way.

We started to work with Kenedy last January after his loan spell at Watford. Hes
working very well and improving. He has to continue and when there is an opportunity he
must take it.

The key for all is to continue putting in the work and to take advantage of the (possibly
rare) opportunities when they come.

[Ampadu is] another youngster who has the potential to become a good player but he
must continue to work with humility and improve. We must be pleased tonight because
we saw a lot of our young players in this game.

-Antonio Conte;
source: Chelsea FC

That said, it wouldnt be

surprising to not see any of
these players until this time
next month, when we take on
Everton in the next round of
the League Cup. Thats just
the reality of the situation,
certainly as far as Conte sees
it. (The following quotes are
from before Wednesdays
game, but they apply just the
same.)

"Every coach wants to win. I dont care if a player is young or old. If a 36-year-old
makes me happy and helps me to win I will put him in and its the same for a 16-year-
old, Im ready to do it. Dont forget, my first appearance in Serie A was when I was just
16. I think Im the first person to trust the young players if they deserve the chance and
give me the possibility to win, because I want to win, not lose. "

"When you start your career with a team who doesnt fight for the title its easier to find
space because the clubs try to give chances to the young players so they can sell them.
Its an enormous difference to start your career with a team who fights for the title,
compared to one who is fighting relegation or in a normal position."

Last season it was Chalobah and Loftus-Cheek and Aina and Ake. This season, its
Musonda and Kenedy and a few others. Same paradigm, same approach, different names.
Same results?

"Last season Chalobah had the chance to play, but dont forget we won the league and
our midfielders were Matic, Kante and Fabregas. You have to consider all of these
components. Chalobah was our fourth midfielder and he had the chance to play but its
normal that if you want to play regularly with a great club you must deserve to play. To
play in Kantes place, Matics place or Fabregass place, if you show you are better than
these players Im ready to do it."

The question of how or where they can show that they are ready does not have an easy
answer unfortunately, and it might be a different answer for each and every player. One
player who seems to have bridged this quicksand trap successfully is Andreas
Christensen, validating the clubs approach very well so far, just as Thibaut Courtois did
a few years ago.

"Now we have a clear example [of success] with Andreas Christensen. He played on loan
for two years with Borussia Monchengladbach, now hes in our squad and hes played in
nearly every game. Hes ready to play in the Champions League and play from the start
with us. For young players its important to find the right path and have good experience
to be ready to play for Chelsea."

-Antonio Conte; Source: Chelsea FC

While there is no exact science to this thing, days like Wednesday can only help.

Heres to many more Academy Days, many more Charly goals, and many more wins.
Lessons for Coaches
Make sure that you are open and honest with your players on their
role on the squad.
Make sure you have a developmental plan in place. Your job is to
development players to the best of your ability NOT just to win
games.
Give praise to those individuals on the rise as their biggest desire is
to play. When they dont get minutes, they take it personally and
need words of encouragement.

Lessons for Athletes

Be patient. While your coach does have a responsibility to help
you develop as a player, they have an overlying responsibility to
the team as a whole. They cannot always take a chance on giving
you an opportunity in competition risking a loss.
Talk to your coaches and figure out how you can improve and
help the team.
Your responsibility is not only to your desires to play, but to your
teammates as well. During games and practices support your
teammates that are in the spotlight.