Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 8y

Antonio Conte's Chelsea training is already having an impact - Courtois

Thibaut Courtois believes that Chelsea are already benefiting from head coach Antonio Conte's intensive preseason regime after securing victories with late goals against West Ham and Watford.

Chelsea have taken maximum points from their first two Premier League games under Conte, with Diego Costa twice scoring in the final five minutes to break the resolve of the Blues' London rivals.

The introductions of Cesc Fabregas and Michy Batshuayi from the substitutes' bench helped turn Saturday's match against Watford in Chelsea's favour, but Courtois believes Conte's gruelling programme of double training sessions over the summer has given the Blues a physical edge over their opponents.

"We did a lot of physical work in preseason and it means the players are ready to fight to the last minute for victories," Courtois told the Evening Standard. "In the Watford game and West Ham match as well, maybe we were able to run more at a high intensity until the end of the game.

"It's important to be able to do that in the Premier League. It is an extra quality to have. You see at the end of matches that teams have gaps because they can't cope with all the running. But we can cope -- that is good.

"To win games late like we have done twice now is an asset to have. Obviously we hope to win games more easily, but when you win matches like this it tastes very good.

"It also usually means you are at the top of the table. I'm not saying we are going to be champions yet, but these victories mean that you can be there fighting for the title. If you want to win the league, it starts with winning difficult games like we did at Watford. We showed some great character."

Chelsea's 100 percent start to the new season has seen them rise to fourth in the Premier League -- a position the club failed to reach at all last season -- and Courtois is happy that the Blues are perfectly placed to compete at the top again.

"It's very nice to be in the top four again, even though it has just been two games," he added. "It also means we are not playing catch up to Manchester United or Manchester City early on."

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