Antonio Conte believes Chelsea are working hard to develop their young players to build for the future instead of splashing out on mega-money signings.

The Chelsea boss is currently embroiled in a war of words with the board and recently criticised the club's flawed transfer policy after his targets during the last two windows were not acquired.

But it is Conte's understanding that the club have placed the development of their academy products as an immediate priority above spending vast amounts of cash on big-name players.

Manager Antonio Conte said Chelsea are working hard to develop their academy players

Conte has recently taken another swipe at the Chelsea board regarding their transfer policy

Chelsea still spent in the region of £38million on January acquisitions Ross Barkley and Emerson Palmieri, but the pair are 24 and 23-years-old — and Conte sees them as valuable players for the future.

That combined figure also looks relatively dwarfed in comparison to the £57m Manchester City spent on Aymeric Laporte and the further £60m they were willing to lay out on Riyad Mahrez.

The Blues also bolstered their attacking ranks with the £18m signing of experienced striker Olivier Giroud, who signed on deadline day from London rivals Arsenal.

Despite being willing to spend some money on young players to integrate into their squad, Chelsea are also keen to advance the ones who are already on their books.

'As you can see, we are working a lot also with, for example, [Ethan] Ampadu,' Conte told reporters.

'He's only 17-years-old. [Andreas] Christensen is only 21-years-old. [Tiemoue] Bakayoko is only 23, [Davide] Zappacosta only 25.

'We took a lot of young players. With Christensen, we are trying to develop the young players of the academy.

He said they are putting their focus on developing young players instead of spending money

Chelsea still spent £38million last month on Ross Barkley (pictured) and Emerson Palmieri

'I think we are doing a fantastic job. We are trying to build something important with work – not with words or money.'

Christensen, who progressed through the youth ranks, has been a key figure at the heart of Chelsea's defence this season after spending two seasons learning his trade on loan with German side Borussia Monchengladbach.

Despite tensions rising at the club amid reports Conte is ready to walk away from Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, the Italian is hoping for more success stories like Christensen's.

But Conte said they are working hard with youngsters like Ethan Ampadu to build for the future

The 21-year-old defender will, however, miss Chelsea's trip to Watford on Monday night through a hamstring injury - the seventh player in Conte's squad to sustain such an injury this season.

Despite this, the 48-year-old still feels his side have been lucky to suffer fewer casualties than some teams after City boss Pep Guardiola claimed he was forced to name six players on the substitutes' bench in their draw with Burnley at the weekend due to injuries.

'If you compare to the other clubs you can see we have less injuries,' Conte added.

'The only problem this season is that we are playing a lot and our squad wasn't big enough to give the right rest. I think we are working less than last season.

He also alluded to Andreas Christensen, who has came from the academy into the first team

'For sure you have to change your plan, your work, when you play every three days – it's impossible to give intensity in these two days between one game and another.

'Sometimes, when I had the possibility, I tried to give a window of little work for the players that I decided to rest.

'But in this country, with four competitions and the great intensity of every game, you have to face a season with a big squad. I think it's very important to understand and find the best solution for the future.'