Chelsea players are using their microwaves for an edge in games.

The microwave is in the home dressing room at the club's Stamford Bridge ground and even has a timer which pings when their boots are ready.

It is also unplugged and taken on the team bus to domestic away games and is an integral part of pre-match preparations.

The oven is used to soften the players' boots and make them more supple and comfortable to wear.

A club insider told The Sun: “Modern football boots seem to be pull-on types with much tighter fitting leather relying on a squeeze effect to stay on rather than the laces.

“So when cold they can be quite tough, quite stiff and awkward to wear at least when they first go on.

“The players put their boots in the microwave for a minute or two and the timer pings when they are soft enough. It's actually a valuable addition to their equipment.

“It's not about Premier League millionaires being pampered. It's about getting the best from the boots as quickly as possible, making the players comfortable so they can perform to their best as quickly as possible."