Chelsea news: Eden Hazard makes controversial training claim - will Conte accept it?
EDEN HAZARD has claimed he has to take it easy in training - because he’s worried his team-mates will kick him.
EPA
Hazard helped Chelsea secure a draw at Anfield on Saturday as Willian’s late striker earned a point.
Chelsea are already 11 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City and Hazard admits he has to go to extreme measures to save his legs in training.
He said: "Do I protect my legs in training? Yes, yes, yes! To be fair, in training I don’t give everything.
"When we have drills, some people go crazy, but I don’t want to be kicked in training. I try to have a break.
"We don’t have many breaks in the season, so I try in training to have more of a rest, and then in the games I give everything.
"Do I get a lot of bruises? Yes. Sometimes I’m feeling a lot. I get a lot of fouls, a lot on my ankle.
"When I’m on the pitch I do receive kicks, but that is part of football and I’m not complaining."
Hazard has scored three goals in 10 Premier League appearances and has three more in the Champions League after missing the start of the season with an ankle injury.
"I do everything for my body when I’m at the training ground,” Hazard added.
“I know my body is strong and I am working on that.
"It is important I do. I’m lucky to have good health, I take good care of my body the best I can."