Chelsea boss Antonio Conte barks orders during training session as he urges stars to improve in preparation of Manchester United visit

  • Antonio Conte looked animated as he took charge of Chelsea training on Friday
  • Conte barked orders throughout the session ahead of Manchester United clash
  • Chelsea have not been consistent this season and are already nine points off top
  • The Blues boss is eager for his side to improve but is expecting a difficult match
  • Chelsea face rivals United in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has some serious questions hanging over his head for the first time since his arrival in England.

Conte's side have looked a shadow of the one which stormed to the Premier League title last season.

They are already nine points adrift of league-leaders Manchester City and have been off the pace so far this campaign, which was highlighted by their 3-0 drubbing at Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte barks orders during their training session on Friday

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte barks orders during their training session on Friday

Conte will be eager for his stars to improve ahead of Sunday's visit of Manchester United

Conte will be eager for his stars to improve ahead of Sunday's visit of Manchester United

Midfielder Eden Hazard took part in Friday's training session at their Cobham facilities

Midfielder Eden Hazard took part in Friday's training session at their Cobham facilities

N'Golo Kante - who's in line to make his return since suffering a hamstring injury - also joined in

N'Golo Kante - who's in line to make his return since suffering a hamstring injury - also joined in

At least they could take a silver lining - from what was a disastrous night for Conte's side - which came in the form of Azerbaijan Premier League champions Qarabag managing to secure an unlikely draw at Ateltico Madrid.


But the Chelsea boss will be eager to see some serious improvements from his players in the coming weeks and set about installing the foundations in training on Friday. 

The Blues boss was seen barking orders as his players were put through their paces during the training session.

He is preparing his side for Sunday's crunch Premier League clash against Jose Mourinho's Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Conte will be boosted by N'Golo Kante, who returned to training last week following a hamstring injury, and is in line to feature after taking part in some passing exercises during Friday's session.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas warmed up with a brisk jog before taking part in a passing exercise

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas warmed up with a brisk jog before taking part in a passing exercise

Chelsea's top scorer this season Alvaro Morata, worked on his finishing during a shooting drill

Chelsea's top scorer this season Alvaro Morata, worked on his finishing during a shooting drill

Thibaut Courtois went in goal for the shooting exercise and made a comfortable save

Thibaut Courtois went in goal for the shooting exercise and made a comfortable save

Cesar Azpilicueta also trained with the rest of the squad ahead of Sunday's Premier League tie

Cesar Azpilicueta also trained with the rest of the squad ahead of Sunday's Premier League tie

Season at a glance

  • Premier League
  • Premier League
  • Championship
  • League One
  • League Two
  • Scottish Premiership
  • Scottish Div 1
  • Scottish Div 2
  • Scottish Div 3
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • La Liga
  • Bundesliga

Star players Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Alvaro Morata and Cesar Azpilicueta also took part in the training session at their Cobham facilities.

United head into the fixture off the back of three consecutive wins and clean sheets. 

Conte knows the threat they bring and is preparing for a tough, physical affair. 'We are talking about a really good team,' he said. 

'A strong team, physically. It will be very difficult, this type of game. It's an important team and we must pay great attention. But we are working. 

'We are working to prepare this game in the right way. But I think that United is a really good team and we must keep working hard to try and improve and do our best in this game.'

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.