Antonio Conte has invited four youth players into Chelsea’s first team for training and could hand one of them a Champions League debut in our clash with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The four youngsters include Ethan Ampadu, Dujon Sterling, Jake Clarke-Salter and Kyle Scott who are yet to each register an appearance in the Champions League.
According to the Mirror, Conte has called these players to beef up his thin squad ahead of the Champions League group game.
Chelsea fans may have seen glimpses of some of the players in the senior team with Ampadu, a second half substitution in Chelsea’s 5-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. He is a versatile player who can play in both center back position and defensive midfield.
His rival in the latter position among the four youngsters, should Conte need cover for Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas as N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater remain out with injuries, is Scott, who was on Chelsea’s bench against Crystal Palace last weekend.
Sterling is in to provide cover in the right wing back role in the absence of Victor Moses, although Davide Zappacosta and Cezar Azpilicueta are high on Conte’s preference list.
Clarke-Salter is a center back and is unlikely to get an appearance as Chelsea’s numbers and quality in that position are very impressive.
Conte revealed to Chelsea’s official website on Monday, that he may give a chance to his youngsters in comeing weeks as injuries keep hitting his squad.
“This season we have to try to build something important for the future, to give possibilities to the new players to get more experience in this league, and to give opportunities to the young players to show they deserve to stay and play for Chelsea. We must have patience this season. It won’t be easy.”
Antonio Conte, Chelsea FC
Conte has shown in the past he can hand fringe players the opportunity to make a name for themselves, and with the invitation of these players into the first team, the Italian may have something special under his sleeve for Chelsea fans on Wednesday night.
