Andre Schurrle suggests Chelsea training methods have contributed to poor Wolfsburg start

Former Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle has suggested Chelsea's training methods may have contributed to his slow start to life at Wolfsburg.

Schurrle, 24, left Stamford Bridge after falling out of favour with Jose Mourinho to return to the Bundesliga in a deal reportedly worth £24m ($35m) during the January transfer window.

While Wolfsburg have enjoyed a rampant start to 2015, winning six of their eight Bundesliga games since the turn of the year, Schurrle has struggled to rediscover his form and is yet to score for his new club despite starting nine games in all competitions.

The Germany international struggled for first-team opportunities in the first half of the season with Chelsea and has cited his lack of match practice as a reason for his slow start, suggesting former manager Jose Mourinho's focus in training also has not helped his cause.

"At top English clubs during the season, the players are hardly loaded with any training, since it's almost all about regeneration and tactics," the London Evening Standard quotes Schurrle as saying.

"In England you can get your fitness through the season with the games. I'm still missing the last per cent. In January, I almost had no training between the change of clubs because of back problems."

Kevin de Bruyne, meanwhile, who made an identical move when he left Chelsea for Wolfsburg in January 2014, has enjoyed an exhilarating 2015, spearheading the club's excellent run of form that leaves them on course for Champions League qualification.

The Belgium international empathises with his teammate and has backed Schurrle to soon rediscover his form. De Bruyne told Wolfsburger Nachrichten: "I know it is hard for him, it was no different for me so I am not worried."