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Antonio Conte sends message to Chelsea youngsters ahead of Manchester United clash
ANTONIO CONTE has warned Chelsea's youngsters they must earn their game time.
Antonio Conte says Chelsea youngsters must earn first-team place
Nathaniel Chalobah, 21, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 20, and Ola Aina, 20, all came off the bench in Saturday's 3-0 win over Premier League champions Leicester.
While Dominic Solanke, 19, was an unused substitute.
The Blues host Manchester United and former manager Jose Mourinho on Sunday (4pm) as they look to add to their back-to-back wins over Hull and Leicester.
And while Conte insists he has no problem integrating youngsters in the first-team, he admits he's not prepared to 'gift' places in his starting XI.
The Italian said: "People who know me will know I don't gift a place to anyone. Only those who deserve to play will play for me.
"It is important for Chalobah and Aina to understand this.
"When I have called Chalobah he has always answered me in a positive way. If they are ready I will put them in.
"In the future they can play from the start. Age is not important. I made my first appearance in Serie A at only 16."