Super Eagles captain and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has revealed that Antonio Conte's double training sessions have left the team fitter than they were last season when they stumbled to a 10th place finish under Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea endured the worst title defence in Premier League history last term - with Mikel suggesting that was partially due to a lack of fitness and a short pre-season.
Conte, however, has introduced a rigorous training regime as well as changing players' diets, and the Super Eagles midfielder who led Nigeria to a win in Zambia last Sunday believes the Blues will only benefit as the the season progresses.
Speaking to Goal.com, Mikel said: 'Yes, I think it played a part last season (not being fit enough).
'One thing is for sure, the team is a lot fitter this season. A lot of players are going to be much, much fitter and that is only going to help the team
'[Double sessions] That's the way he wants to train, that's his style, that's his way that he thinks we can win and that he thinks can get Chelsea back to where they belong.
Obviously, quite a lot was made last year that a lot of the players were not fit, so the club decided to go for someone to make sure we are fit.
The midfielder will be hoping to make his first of the season when the Blues take on Leicester this weekend.
'The players have responded very well to him, we are going with whatever the manager wants to do in training, everyone is putting in their best and we have to keep going his way
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