Conte: 'Christensen is showing he deserves to play'

Christensen, 21, has usurped Luiz as Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte's preferred pick in the centre of his three-man defence and the Italian says the Denmark international is an example to Chelsea's fringe players. 'If you deserve to play, you play. Don't forget Christensen is playing, only 21 years old. He's showing he deserves to play. I think this guy has fantastic prospects for the present, for the future,' he said.

According to reports from Radio Montecarlo, Real Madrid have already opened negotiations with David Luiz, someone who had been desired previously and who is currently enduring a second spell at Chelsea. The expectation is that he would come into Los Blancos squad as back up to first choice centre halves Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos, but who can offer flexibility in a variety of other positions. Competition with Nacho and Vallejo would ensure more depth available to Zidane. However, Conte would not be drawn on newspaper reports linking Luiz with a move away from Stamford Bridge. 'I don't read,' said the Chelsea manager. 'I solve the problem,' he said.

Conte says he will give his young players another chance to shine in Wednesday's League Cup quarter-final at home to Bournemouth. Conte fielded weakened teams in the earlier rounds against Nottingham Forest and Everton and although the semi-finals are now in sight, he is not planning to change his approach. 'Every competition is serious. I think our task is to try to win the game, to try to reach the semi-final,' Conte told Tuesday's pre-match press conference. 'At the same time it's right in this competition to give the opportunity to the players not playing regularly. For the players that are struggling to find the best form after injuries; (Danny) Drinkwater, for example. I have to trust my players. Not only with words, but with facts, to show I trust my players and I want to give them a big opportunity in a big game to show me they deserve to play,' he said.