Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has delivered his assessment of promising youngster Charly Musonda after he opened his account for the Blues in last night's win over Nottingham Forest.
The Belgian attacker finally announced himself at Stamford Bridge with a well-taken goal in the first half of what turned out to be a comfortable win in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Like many of Chelsea's young players, Musonda has spent much of his time with the club out on loan, having been shipped out to Real Betis for the previous two seasons.
However, he was one to be given a chance to shine in a much-changed Chelsea line up for this match, and took his chance well.
Conte was impressed, and believes he can continue to get into the side if he keeps on improving as he has.
'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,' Conte said.
'He's a talented player and he has to continue in this way and when there is the opportunity to help us he must do this.'
Chelsea don't have the best record of handing opportunities to young players, but Conte said before yesterday's game that he is always open to doing so if they're good enough.
'I think if you are good enough to play with a great team, you play,' the Italian said when quizzed about his youth policy beforehand.
'Every coach wants to win. I don't care if one player is a young player or an old player. If a player, an old player, 36-years-old, makes me happy and helps me to win, I pick him. It's the same if a player, a young player, 16-years-old, helps me to win, I'm ready to do this also.'
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