Rio Ferdinand: Chelsea players hated Conte's training method

Rio Ferdinand has revealed inside information on how Chelsea players were left unimpressed by manager, Antonio Conte's training style at the start of the season.

Antonio Conte came to Chelsea with a totally different approach and style of training which involves a lot of physical training, a lot of running, watching videos and repetition of drills.

Of course it's common knowledge that players always want to train with the ball which Chelsea players weren't getting from the former Juventus coach but the former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand said the players had to believe when they saw it was all working well.

He told the Sunday Times: “The key to sticking with 3-4-3 will be repetition, repetition, repetition. Chelsea play it so well because Antonio Conte lives and breathes repetition of phases of play, of game management, of team shape.

“From people at Chelsea I know his sessions are mundane. Players think initially: "What's this?" They want to enjoy training yet he has them playing against shadows, practising their positions depending where the ball is.

“You stop and freeze and he breaks down the game for you. These are 30-40 minute sessions that could be boring, but when the players see it working, and the pictures he has painted in training appear in games, they believe.”

Chelsea currently sit top of the Premier League table, 10 points clear of Tottenham with just 10 games left to play.

The Blues return to action next weekend when they welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge.