Antonio Conte challenges his Under-17 World Cup winners to break into Chelsea first team

Despite Chelsea’s reputation for not giving their kids a go, manager Conte wants to hand them a chance.

The Italian said: “I think I am the best person to give this type of possibility, if I see they deserve it.

“Don’t forget that my first appearance in Serie A, I was only 16-years-old.

“When I was at Juventus, Paul Pogba was only 18 but after one month he played from the start.”

Blues kids Callum Hudson-Odoi, Marc Guehi, Jonathan Panzo and George McEachran all started the final in Kolkata, while Conor Gallagher came on as a sub.

But star striker Rhian Brewster, the tournament’s leading scorer with eight goals, left Chelsea in 2015 because he thought he had a better chance at Liverpool.

While Dominic Solanke, an England Under-20 World Cup winner this year, also quit Stamford Bridge for Anfield.

Conte though has already picked 17-year-old Welsh midfielder Ethan Ampadu in Carabao Cup games this season.

He added: “I am very happy for our academy because it means our academy is working very well.

“Against Everton last week Ampadu started for the first time and he is only 17.

“I repeat: I want to give these possibilities — but you have to deserve these possibilities.”

Tottenham are hoping Tashan Oakley-Boothe can make the grade at White Hart Lane.

The midfielder has already had a taste of Carabao Cup action.

Of the last 21 players to make their senior England debuts, an incredible 17 have worked under Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.