Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has claimed that his players are not spending as much time on the training pitch as last season.
Reports have suggested that a number of Conte's first-team squad are unhappy with their current workload at a time when Chelsea are regularly playing a match every three or four days.
However, Conte has dismissed suggestions that his training methods are contributing to the club's recent injuries, instead stating that his players are training "70% less" than in their title-winning campaign.
The 48-year-old told reporters: "My methods are the same as last season when we won the league. Honestly we are working 70% 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."
Chelsea have failed to win any of their last three matches in all competitions, while the West Londoners let slip a two-goal lead against Roma on Wednesday night before eventually claiming a 3-3 draw.
Darren Plant
