Antonio Conte fires warning to Chelsea starlet Charly Musonda after Instagram rant

 
Antonio Conte has told Charly Musonda to focus on his football, not social media, after the Chelsea youngster took to Instagram to complain about a lack of first-team opportunities.

 
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The 20-year-old has only made one start this season, against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup, and it has been suggested that he might be loaned out in January as result of his outburst.
But Conte insists Musonda does still have a future at Chelsea if he continues to work hard, and revealed exactly what he told him during a heart-to-heart this week.

Musonda impressed in the 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over Nottingham Forest (Picture: Getty)

‘I spoke to him and I think Charly understood his mistake,’ said Conte at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace.
‘He has to continue to work very hard to improve himself, in the physical and tactical aspect, but he’s working very well.

Conte will not axe Musonda after his rant, but has urged him to keep working hard

‘But his mind must be focused on the pitch, not on social media. I told him this. My task is to help him find the right way, not the wrong way.
‘I think above all, with the young players, it’s very important to speak with them and try to explain what the right way is. I did this. I think he understood. I don’t see a problem with him.
‘I repeat though: he must continue to work the way he is doing, and be focused on the pitch not social media. Because social media is not important for his career.’
On the prospect of Musonda being loaned out, he continued: ‘I think we must be focused on the present with him.

Conte thinks Musonda will get opportunities behind Hazard, Willian and Pedro (Picture: Getty)

‘The only thing I’m sure of is that he’s a talented player. I see him very well, he has a very good chance of becoming an important player for Chelsea. I can see this. He has to continue to work and focus and the opportunity will come.’
Andreas Christensen has been cited as an example Musonda could follow, having gone out on loan before forcing himself into the Chelsea reckoning, and Conte agrees.

He added: ‘Christensen can be a good example. After two years on loan, after a good experience with Borussia Monchengladbach, now he’s a player ready to play with Chelsea.

Christensen had two solid campaigns on loan in the Bundesliga with Gladbach

‘I think that for Charly he could have a good opportunity to play this season. We have three No.10s – Willian, Eden Hazard and Pedro – and usually two pay.
‘I think this season could be good for him to show that he deserves to play. I am sure about this because he is a talented player, and I am sure he will be a Chelsea player… If – if – his attention is more on the pitch and not the social media!’