Antonio Conte: Chelsea are training 70 percent less

The news follows reports that some players feel training is too hard and too frequent, now that Champions League commitments mean they are playing two games in most weeks.

The West Londoners have lost to Manchester City and then bottom club Crystal Palace in the last two league games, as well as losing a two-goal lead in Wednesday's 3-3 Champions League draw at home to Roma.

That has caused questions to be asked inside and outside the club about preparation and the high number of injuries being picked up.

"I don't know about that," Conte told a press conference. "I have my methods the same as last season when we won the league.

"But we are working maybe 70 percent less this season because we play every three days," added the Italian, whose men were not involved in Europe last season.

"To play every game with the same players is a big problem. It's impossible for them to work, except for the games."

Conte's team have been plagued by a crop of injuries to players including N'Golo Kante, Victor Moses and Alvaro Morata. David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko. Midfielder Danny Drinkwater, who signed from Leicester City in the summer, has not played at all because of thigh and calf problems.

Conte was unable to say who will be fit to face Watford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Defender Gary Cahill, however, is expected to be available despite having stitches in a chin wound and finishing the Roma match swathed in a huge bandage.

A win would take Chelsea back above Marco Silva's Watford, who surprisingly sit in fourth place with only one defeat in their eight league games.

"Watford did a very good transfer market," Conte said. "The game will be very tough but after two defeats in the league we want to come back and win."