Jose Mourinho set to axe star names for Champions League opener and despite results, insists, 'I am the champion of England. Why should I be in trouble?'

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Jose Mourinho to make changes to his Chelsea side ahead of the Champions League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv
Mourinho has admitted he wants to try new ideas with fresh players
The Portuguese has shrugged off talk that he is under pressure
Chelsea have only won once in all competitions this season
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Published: 06:24 EST, 15 September 2015 | Updated: 12:46 EST, 15 September 2015

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Jose Mourinho will wield the axe for the Champions League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday after Chelsea's poor start to the season.

The Chelsea manager, who has won just one game this season, admitted he will make changes for the Group G opener at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho did not say who is at risk, but admitted there will be changes following their second successive Barclays Premier League defeat at Everton on Saturday.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho delivered a defiant press conference ahead of their Champions League opener

Mourinho has suggested that several star players could be at risk when he reshuffles his squad

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard (centre) chases the ball in training ahead of Wednesday's game

Blues defender Cesar Azpilicueta (right) warms up alongside Hazard (left) and Nemanja Matic in training

THIRD SEASON SYNDROME

Mourinho was asked about his so called third-season syndrome in reference to the fact that he doesn't tend to stick around at clubs. His response was strong, to say the least:

'My third season in Porto? I didn't have a third season. In Inter, I didn't have a third season. My third season at Chelsea the first time, I won the FA Cup and the Carling Cup, and I played the Champions League semi-finals.

'The third season in Real Madrid I won the SuperCup, lost the cup final, and I went to the Champions League semi-finals. These are my third seasons. So click Google instead of asking stupid questions. You spoke about the third season, and I'm telling you the question is stupid. I know the point is that the question is stupid.

'Asking about building dynasties is a different question. I haven't done that before. This will be the first time I'm trying to do that, so I don't have previous experience from the past.'

He said: 'Yes I am going to make a couple of changes because I have to try a different dynamic. I have to give chances to people who are not playing.

'I know the consequence of that, if I make a couple of changes, it is because I want to give chances to people.

'I know that you will say: if I leave out Azpilicueta it a problem with Azpilicueta, if I leave out John Terry it is the same with John Terry, or if I leave out Cesc Fabregas it is the same with Cesc Fabregas.

'I have a squad, I trust the squad, the market is closed so we cannot replace players we lose trust in. I like my squad, I trust them. I don't have 10 players, I don't have to play the same ten or 11, and I can make changes.'

Mourinho also claimed his position is safe amid growing unrest in the squad about the team's performances.

He said: 'I am the current champion of England - why should I be in trouble?

'It is a new competition, zero points and to start well at home is important. A few years ago we lost the first match at home, last season we drew, so if we win we will be in a better position.

Diego Costa speaks with Chelsea team-mate Wilian during a training session at Cobham on Tuesday

Despite the poor start to the season Chelsea manager Mourinho is clearly all smiles as he chats with his staff

Chelsea defender John Terry keeps his eye on the ball as team-mate Gary Cahill watches on in training

Mourinho shrugs of pressure talk and reminds journalists about the enormity of his achievements

The Chelsea manager is preparing his team for their Champions League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas (centre) is put through his paces in a drill at the club's Cobham base

Chelsea captain John Terry (left) plays a pass to defensive partner Gary Cahill at Cobham on Tuesday

'You cannot expect that we are all smiles and laughing and joking, it is a basic answer. When people are not getting the success and we do work hard, people are frustrated and not happy.

'It is simple to accept that the results are not good because that's football. Every season you have some teams that don't start well and have bad results: injuries, bad luck and it is sad that people go in other directions where they don't exist.

Terry leads by example in training as Chelsea prepare for their upcoming Champions League clash

It's follow the leader at Cobham as Terry leads his team-mates through a training session on Tuesday

Brazilian midfielder Oscar is joined by Costa and Willian as they stretch off at Cobham on Tuesday afternoon

'Our problem would be if problems are real. It is a big problem because our life is about getting good results. In other clubs you have to go back five or 10 years to remember good results.

'For us it is three months and then we were the best team, the best manager, the best players. We are not happy. But we know what we are.

'In the Premier League we are behind our direct rivals, but in the Champions League we have to qualify because we are not a Europa League. It is important economically, stature and because we belong in the Champions League.'