Chelsea star Willian claims Antonio Conte’s gruelling two-hour training sessions are behind recent surge
Blues head into Christmas top of the table after winning 11 games in a row to open gap on Premier League rivals
WILLIAN insists Antonio Conte’s gruelling two-hour training sessions are behind Chelsea’s brilliant run.
The Blues have won a club record 11 league games on the bounce to take a six-point lead into Christmas.
And Brazil international Willian puts their form down to hard graft on the training ground.
He told SkySports: “It’s intense. He likes to work. We train hard. Sometimes it’s two hours of intense training.
“We always have a plan going into the game and we have to trust in the plan. We’ve done that.
“The way we are training makes us more confident in the games. We can run and put pressure on the opponents. And when you win game by game, this brings even more confidence.
“The target is to stay together and to play together. If we trust in our team-mates then we have a great chance to win the title this season.”
Willian has excelled as part of a front three with Diego Costa and Eden Hazard since Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation.
The forward added: “We have changed it a little bit.
“There’s more freedom. I have more freedom to play. I can move inside, I can go to the left and to the right and I think it’s much better.
“The new formation helps players like me, helps Diego and helps Eden in front. We can move around as we have that freedom.”
Last Christmas then defending champions Chelsea went into the festive fixtures just three points off the relegation zone and with Guus Hiddink in charge after Jose Mourinho was axed.
Willian was one of the few positives as he netted 11 goals en route to being named the Blues’ Player of the Season.
The Brazil star said: “I was happy with my performances last season but it is difficult when the team doesn’t go the same way.
“But I always try to do my best on the pitch. Last season I was good but this season I want to do much better.
“I have to improve and I think I can do it. Of course, this season the team is much better and playing with more confidence.”