Chinese unhappy with Chelsea training facility

Some of China's Olympic soccer players are unhappy with the practice facilities being provided by two-time defending English champion Chelsea.

Photo: Chinese unhappy with Chelsea training facility

China's Olympic team arrived last week in London to train for two weeks, at the invitation of London-based Chelsea. The invitation followed the launch in Beijing last month of the club's Chinese-language Web site, which Chelsea officials expect to be immediately profitable.

However, several players on the under-23 team are complaining about Chelsea's hospitality.

"Chelsea is not as good as we thought," read a headline Monday on the Web site of the Chinese sports daily Titan.

"The situation is that the food and lodging is good, but the training field is not so good," player Zhou Haibin told Titan.

Players complained about the wet English weather, and being unable to train regularly on the same field used by Chelsea at the Cobham complex just outside London. They also said they didn't take showers at the training ground, because those facilities were used by female players and students.

Coach Ratomir Dujkovic has tried to encourage his team, emphasizing the importance of getting used to adverse conditions, reports AP.

"You may use a ground like this in your matches in the future," Dujkovic was quoted a saying.

The sports daily also chided Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who said last week "we (Chelsea) have everything to share."

The Chinese will play three games in England, including a match on Wednesday against Queens Park Rangers, and another on Feb. 13 against Brentford.