Antonio Conte defends training methods amid claims Chelsea players are unhappy with workload
Chelsea's lack of depth in squad has been exposed by added games and an injury crisis but Conte insists he has changed his schedules to ease the pressure on stars
ANTONIO CONTE has defended his training methods amid claims his Chelsea stars are growing unhappy with how hard he is working them.
The Chelsea squad is showing signs of being exhausted just three months into the season as they are crippled by an injury crisis and lack of form.
Conte's side have lost their last two Premier League games and face a spell of five matches in 15 days at a time when most of their midfielders are sidelined.
Yet the Italian has had his players in for training every day since they returned for the international break as he tries to get them tactically ready for each game.
And Conte, who is growing under increasing pressure from the Chelsea board, insists he still has faith in his methods
Conte said: "My methods are the same as last season when we won the league.
"Honestly we are working 70 per cent less this season, maybe that is why we are in trouble.
"There is a tactical and physical aspect. When you play every two days it is impossible to work on the physical aspect, and you have less time to pay attention to the detail."
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Conte added: "When you have to play four competitions, this is the path you must follow. This is the path.
"It is normal, the problem is to play every game with the same players, this is a big problem. It is impossible for the players to work every part of the game.
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"You can train only a part of your fitness, and then you lose your strength.
"When you have more players you can use them and rest players."