Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi reveals how he bent the rules at Stamford Bridge before Borussia Dortmund loan
Striker left Stamford Bridge for German giants in January loan deal after failing to impress Antonio Conte
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MICHY BATSHUAYI has revealed how he defied Chelsea club orders - to risk his fitness playing a dangerous form of five-a-side.
And the Belgium striker vowed never to give up playing futsal before his career ends.
Batshuayi has struggled for game time since his £33million move from Marseille in 2016.
He joined Borussia Dortmund on loan in January, and has since scored eight goals to add to his ten in 25 games for the Blues this term.
The 24-year-old has now said he went against the wishes of Stamford Bridge boss Antonio Conte by regularly playing futsal - an intense form of indoor football played on a hard court.
The Brussels-born frontman said: "Chelsea don't allow you to play futsal, but I did it during the time I wasn't playing much for them.
"If I didn't play futsal then I would be dead. It would have been impossible for me to have made the comeback I've made without doing something on the side.
"I would have suffered backaches, and would not been able to run - or even control the ball.
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"The other players at Chelsea asked me: 'What do you do to be so good?' I never told them anything.
"I swear that I have never told anyone about this before. When I go back to Belgium I kill myself by playing futsal for an hour or two.
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"It's compulsory for me. It makes me feel better, frees my mind, and lets me get a feel for the ball and score goals.
"But above all it is fun with my friends. And it's not just any old game - it is futsal up against some really tough players.
"I think I will play it throughout my career when I have time off. It is something I really need to do."
Batshuayi also revealed his surprise at his abrupt switch to German giants Dortmund.
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He said: "I needed game time to find my form again. I had plenty of possibilities.
"We did a deal with Dortmund very quickly. I had a game for Chelsea coming up the next day, I'd scored twice in my previous match, and everyone had their faith in me.
"But I was one moment strolling through the town, and the next on board a plane.
"On the one hand I was happy to leave, as I knew I would get more playing time.
"On the other I had just put in some very good displays for Chelsea - and they would have preferred me to stay put."