Chelsea boss Antonio Conte re-hashes Alan Hansen’s infamous slogan: You can’t win anything with kids
Scot Hansen infamously uttered the words before Manchester United's Class of 92 went on to win Premier League and FA Cup Double in 1995/96
ANTONIO CONTE has rehashed Alan Hansen’s infamous quote and claimed: You can’t win anything with kids.
Chelsea boss Conte hit out after Nathaniel Chalobah, who snubbed a new deal and joined Watford for £6million, earned an England call-up this week.
The Italian picked Paul Pogba at Juventus when the midfielder was 18 and will give talent a chance — IF they are good enough.
He said: “You must decide if you want to fight for the title or develop your young players. There are two different ways.
“I put Pogba at 18 into the team, for Marchisio. Not a simple player!
“But you must have this type of player who is ready to play regularly with Chelsea, a great team.”
Hansen made his blunder on Match of the Day after Manchester United lost 3-1 to Aston Villa on the opening day of the 1995-96 season.
Alex Ferguson’s side — which included 20-year-olds David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, along with 21-year-old Ryan Giggs — finished the campaign as Premier League champions.
This summer, Conte sold Nathan Ake, 22, to Bournemouth for £20million and Dominic Solanke, 19, for around £3m to Liverpool.
Tammy Abraham, 19, joined Swansea on loan and 21-year-old Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 21, is with Crystal Palace for the season.
The Blues chief believes only the best youngsters will play for the top teams.
Wayne Rooney, who lines up for Everton against Chelsea today, is in that category, along with United starlet Marcus Rashford, 19.
Conte added: “Rooney showed his potential when he was 17 and then he improved his level.
MOST READ IN SPORT
“But it’s rare to have a Rooney. Rashford is a player who has shown he is a really good player.
“Now 21-year-old Andreas Christensen, after two seasons on loan to develop in Germany, stays with us.
“But he has to fight and if there is the possibility to play, I’ll put him in.”
Conte is happy for kids to go out on loan and said: “It’s difficult to see players, when they are 16, 17, 18, playing regularly.
“And they have to develop and then come back to play regularly with a great team.
“I repeat, I like to work with young players.
“Last season, if you saw our squad, we won the league with eight players from the academy and 14 or 15 senior players.
“If there are young players who deserve to play and give me a good feeling, then why not?
“I’m very happy Nathaniel was called up.
“He worked a lot and very hard last season. I wish him the best.”