Thursday 28 September 2017 23:27, UK
Wales boss Chris Coleman has welcomed Antonio Conte's comments on Ethan Ampadu's call-up after Jurgen Klopp suggested Ben Woodburn was too inexperienced for international football.
Coleman has shown faith in youth by including both Ampadu and Woodburn is his squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Georgia and the Republic of Ireland.
Last month Klopp questioned whether Woodburn was ready for international football, although the 17-year-old went on to score the winning goal for Wales in a 1-0 win over Austria in Cardiff.
Conte has taken a more positive view of Coleman's selection policy and earlier this month insisted that Chelsea were "proud" of Ampadu being selected for Wales duty.
"It helps if you have played international football and understand what it is all about," Coleman said.
"When I read Conte's comments I felt he put it really well - and it is true. If you are good enough as a young player then why shouldn't you be involved?
"I can see the players don't belong to us and are not contracted to us and international football is a choice. But if you have played it you understand the importance of it and the honour of it.
"I wasn't surprised by Antonio's comments, but they were welcome and made total sense to me.
"I have played international football myself. It is great for anybody to be called up by their country and if they are good enough, be they 16,17 or 18, they shouldn't be put in a situation where they feel under pressure, certainly not by us."
Coleman insists he is under no pressure to start Woodburn against Georgia on October 6, despite the Liverpool youngster's recent heroics.
"There will be an expectation that he plays more of a part now," Coleman said. "But whether he starts or doesn't start, I can't say I feel under pressure to do that.
"I will pick the team to start, and change as the game is going, but it will all be about what I feel is best for us on the night in Georgia."
