ANTONIO CONTE starts work at Chelsea on Wednesday — with his new team ready for the hardest pre-season of their careers.

The former Italy boss has already warned his Stamford Bridge stars to be ready for an intense fitness programme before the new season.

3 Antonio Conte is well known for running tough training sessions in pre-season Credit: Getty Images

3 Antonio Conte is expected to take his first training session with Chelsea today Credit: AP:Associated Press

Jose Mourinho's training style paid much more emphasise on ball work while Guus Hiddink often left most of the coaching to assistant Steve Holland which was more laid back.

But Conte, according to The Times, is much more hand on with his players with fitness the main feature of his training camps.

The sessions will include running multiple distances which the players will be made to cover repeatedly with the eagle eyed boss making sure they are giving 100 per cent.

3 Antonio Conte saw his Italy side knocked out of Euro 2016 by Germany Credit: Getty Images

Then a ball will be introduced into training when the players are fatigued — as that is when he believes players improve their skills best.

In the afternoon the former Juventus boss is expected to run through multiple tactical sessions with players.

These type of training will happen twice a day through to the start of the Premier League next month with players told to expect little time off.

