Jose Mourinho has named four Chelsea stars who are underperforming this season and have contributed to his side’s poor form.
The likes of John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas were outstanding last season and were a key part of the side that won the domestic double.
However Mourinho feels that these four players have been disappointing this season.
He said: “If you go player-by-player, last season – Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry – you could say were fantastic.
“This season it is more difficult to say this player is being magnificent.
When asked about Fabregas’ decline this season, Mourinho added: “I don’t see Cesc differently, but what I see is that every minute the professionalism is there and he is never afraid to have the ball or to be afraid to make a mistake. I completely trust him.”
Chelsea have made a disastrous start to the season and are 14th in the League table. The Blues are up against league leaders Leicester City in their next match and Mourinho’s decisions to pin point his underperformers might have been ill timed.
Although his comments could motivate the players to do well, it could also backfire.
Despite the fact that these players have underperformed it is a bit strange to see Mourinho naming them individually. The Portuguese has always maintained a reputation of being very supportive of his players.
Furthermore, it was shocking to see him exclude the likes of Matic, Costa and Hazard. All three had an outstanding season last year and have been dreadful this season.
It will be interesting to see how the players react to their manager’s comments.
The Blues secured a morale boosting win over Porto earlier this week and the Chelsea fans will be hoping that Mourinho’s comments can spur the players onto greater things for the remainder of this season.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
