Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says Alfie Gilchrist should inspire his academy teammates.

The defender has broken into the first team this season and impressed.

Pochettino said: "For me, it is always important, if you see my career as a coach at Espanyol, Tottenham and Paris or now.

"It is really important for the identity of the club. It's so important because this guy really feels the shirt and badge. It's always a mix but having some guys is important for the club's identity.

"We are in Chelsea and we should win so there is sometimes no time but these types of opportunities when you have some injured players. They need to be ready and we need to be ready to help them take these opportunities. Yes, that's also our responsibility to the club."