Chelsea release statement to say Jose Mourinho 'has their full support'

Chelsea have issued a statement to underline that they still have complete faith in manager Jose Mourinho and his players despite a poor start to the season.

The Premier League champions' title defence has not gone to plan so far, with the Londoners sat 16th in the table after eight games with just eight points.

They've already lost four games, including two at home - once upon a time, Chelsea were invincible under Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

Compounding matters is the spat between Mourinho and then-club doctor Eva Carneiro on the opening day, and the Portuguese coach's epic rant after their latest failure at home to Southampton.

The statement from the club says:
" The club wants to make it clear that Jose continues to have our full support. As Jose has said himself, results have not been good enough and the team's performances must improve. However, we believe that we have the right manager to turn this season around and that he has the squad with which to do it."

The statement from Chelsea comes two days after Mourinho issued a challenge to his employers following the Southampton defeat.

In a seven-minute answer to one question, Mourinho said "if the club wants to sack me they have to sack me because I am not running away from my responsibilities from my team."

He continued: "I think this is a crucial moment in the history of this club. Why? Because if the club sacks me they sack the best manager this club has had and secondly the message is again the message of bad results the manager is guilty.

"And this is the message not just these players but the ones before got during a decade. I think this a moment for everyone to assume their responsibilities. I think the players should and other people in the club who should assume their responsibilities, and to stick together and this is what I want. The players will play until the end of this season."

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