Thibaut Courtois believes Antonio Conte's refusal to allow his players to "drop their guard" has been the key to Chelsea's success, reports the London Evening Standard.

The Blues are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League and into the FA Cup semi-finals, where they will face Tottenham in April.

Courtois has been one of several players to rediscover their best form under Conte this season, a factor he credits to the Italian's demands on the training field.

"I always try to have that hunger every day in training, to become better and to win, and it's always nice to have a manager who keeps the players at the level they need to have, who keeps our focus and doesn't allow us to drop our guard," Courtois said in the Chelsea magazine.

"That's a good thing, that's how you can win the league."