Phil Neville has blasted Antonio Conte and Chelsea, insisting they may as well close their academy if they are not going to promote their young stars.
Neville said: “They [Chelsea youngsters] have to go out on loan because Conte’s coming out and saying they’ve only got 11 players.
"If you were the Under-23s manager or you were part of the squad that played in the Champions League Youth League today, you’d be thinking: ‘I’ve got no future at this football club. If he’s saying they’ve only got 11 players, give me a chance!’
"They won’t. And, to be a fair, it’s a disgrace. They should close their academy, Chelsea."
Roma star Radja Nainggolan has hinted that he would be open to moving to long-term admirers Chelsea in the future.
Blues boss Antonio Conte hailed the Belgian enforcer before last night’s 3-3 Champions League draw at Stamford Bridge.
Nainggolan said: “Thank you [to Conte] for the words, but at the end of the day we’re playing against each other and I have to do my job.
“I think he’s a really good coach because his results over the past few years speak for themselves.”
Asked if he would like to play in the Premier League one day, he added: “Yeah, it’s a good league.
“Beautiful stadiums, good atmospheres in the stadiums, but at the moment my head is only there [at Roma].”
Chelsea were hit with more injury woes following their dramatic draw with Roma yesterday.
The Blues are already without star man N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater while doubts remain over the fitness of Alvaro Morata and Victor Moses.
Chelsea, who face Watford on Saturday, could now be set to lose two more of their first-team stars.
Conte confirmed after last night’s game that both David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko sustained injuries against Roma.
