Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti says his team's training sessions are too intense.

Indeed, training sessions at Chelsea's Cobham base are so intense that Ancelotti fears his players could face burn-out.

The Italian said: "The difference with English players I've noticed since I arrived is they like to train every time at 100 per cent.

"In Italy, it's different. If you ask a player in Italy to play 50 per cent you can be sure he trains 50 per cent.

"An English player is different. He finds it difficult to train slow. He likes to train 100 per cent. Sometimes I have to ask them to work a little bit calmer. It's not easy.

"It's a little different, but I think it's important. For the training it's important to train hard but it's important also to rest.

That goes against the grain for stars such as Terry and Lampard. But now it appears the players are coming round to a more continental way of thinking.

"I think they understood," smiled Ancelotti. "Not all the players! With Lampard it's difficult to tell him work slow. He likes to work 100 per cent but I'm happy, it's good for his fitness."