Antonio Conte smartly congratulates Chelsea Academy on FA Youth Cup win

Antonio Conte congratulated Chelsea’s U18’s after they won the FA Youth Cup. He wisely avoided making any promises the club has no intention of keeping.

Chelsea’s Academy won their third consecutive FA Youth Cup and their sixth in eight years on Wednesday. The Blues defeated Manchester City 5-1 (6-2 agg) at Stamford Bridge with Antonio Conte and Roman Abramovich in attendance.

Conte visited the youth in the dressing room to congratulate them on their win. After side-stepping Trevoh Chalobah’s victory dance, he put the victory in the context of Chelsea’s traditions and expectations.

"It’s very important to win for us this competition with a big tradition. I’m pleased for you and I hope you’re going to continue in this way and continue to improve."

Conte wisely – and responsibly – did not make any statements that the youngsters could construe as indicating they have a future with Chelsea. He did not say anything along the lines of “I look forward to seeing you my squad some day” or “This is the first of many trophies you will lift at Stamford Bridge.” Each of those players should have that hope, desire and ambition. But Conte should not lead them down the primrose path of hollow promises.

The Academy players – Trevoh Chalobah in particular – likely know that if they have a road to Chelsea’s first team, it will be long and circuitous. They can expect to wear many other colours before they wear Blue on the senior team. Hopefully they know that a few loan spells are a necessary part of their development. They should seek out those opportunities to play around England and Europe when they have reached the limit of the Academy system.

Academy coach Jody Morris has done a commendable job instilling the proper ambition in his players. Team captain Mason Mount summarized their mindset after the match.

"There is a winning mentality in the Academy and we are brought up to have that as young players… It gives us a lot of confidence to see Antonio Conte here watching us. We are all good players who want to progress further and move up through the club. – Chelsea FC"

For all the pressures that go along with playing at Chelsea’s Academy, the players should be able to enjoy the privilege and celebrate their accomplishment. They should all hope to some day play in front of a capacity crowd at Stamford Bridge. The loyalty they develop at the Academy will inspire them to play for the shirt and motivate their teammates if they reach the senior level as Blues.

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Antonio Conte has shown more interest in promoting youth than his predecessors. Perhaps Mount, Trevoh Chalobah, Dujon Sterling and others will have a better road to the first team than those who have come before. Chelsea cannot make any promises to these youngsters other than to offer them their shot. That alone would be an improvement over years past.