Antonio Conte reveals how Chelsea have played games this season 'without training'

Antonio Conte has revealed Chelsea have gone into games this season without usual preparation on the training pitch.

The Italian oversaw a thrilling 4-2 comeback win against Watford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, although it looked at one point as though the Hornets were going to walk away with all three points as they led 2-1.

Had Chelsea lost to Marco Silva's side, it would have been the champions' third straight defeat in the Premier League this season - the last time the club lost three successive top-flight matches was two seasons ago before Jose Mourinho was sacked.

Conte revealed on Friday that in order to deal with the congested fixture list and his lack of squad depth, he was training his players 70 per cent less than during their title-winning season of last term.

And the Chelsea boss admitted after the win over Watford that there have been times this season where the team haven't trained before a match.

He told reporters at Stamford Bridge when asked about his side's defensive frailties: "When you concede five goals or seven goals in the last three games, for sure you have to try to understand what doesn’t work.

"I have to try to improve the situation. We have to continue to work. When you play every three days it’s very difficult to work on tactical aspects and physical aspects and pay attention to every detail.

"Sometimes you have to play a game without training. Yesterday, for example, I say we are working 70 per cent less than last season but it is normal this.

"We have to try to find the solution to be more solid. We have to try find the way to recover the injured players very soon.

"But we scored eight goals in the last three games. The better thing is to stay more in the middle and between the two aspects and try to improve your team."