Jose Mourinho describes talk of mutiny at Chelsea as 'sad' and 'unfair' after claims first-teamers have started 'using derogatory nickname' to refer to Blues manager
- Chelsea's players are reportedly turning against Jose Mourinho
- The Chelsea manager was outspoken before the international break
- Mourinho criticised several players and backroom staff in interviews
- Chelsea face Aston Villa at home in the Premier League on Saturday
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has described reports of a player mutiny at Chelsea as 'sad' and 'unfair' after it was claimed an unflattering nickname is being used to refer to the manager by several first-teamers.
Mourinho is facing claims that he is losing control at Chelsea having criticised his team and backroom staff before the international break.
However, asked about the claims, Mourinho exclusively told talkSPORT: 'It’s sad but I don’t care really, I don’t care. I spoke with the players about it and the players are also sad about it, but there is no way to care.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho poses for a selfie with a fan at his book launch in London on Thursday
The Chelsea boss, who posed for photos to promote his book 'Mourinho', dismissed reports of a player mutiny
'We know what we are, we know the relationships between ourselves. We know that we are together trying to go back to normality but it is quite sad because people could analyse the situation in pure football terms.
'Let’s try to find the reason why this team is playing badly and why it is not winning matches, without agendas and without unfair comment, because that’s not nice.'
When asked if Mourinho had been disappointed by the reaction in the press to Chelsea's poor start, he responded: 'A bit disappointed, but I am a grown man to cope with it. It hasn't changed my life either professionally or socially.
'I do what I have to do. I go to the rugby, I go for dinner, I wake up at 7am every day and go to the training ground. My life didn't change. Obviously I don't smile so much.'
Mourinho was at the launch amid reports of unrest among the first-team players in his Chelsea squad
Mourinho remains convinced that Chelsea will turn their season around. 'We are not afraid to be near the relegation zone, that is completely out of question. We know that in December or January we are not there. We will be closer to the top than to the bottom. We know that for sure. But the reality is we need points, we need to win matches.'
Earlier on Thursday evening, the Chelsea boss, speaking at the launch of his book 'Mourinho', jokingly dismissed the reports and said:'My reaction is Begovic (and I'm speaking about the last three or four days) said we had the best manager in the world. Zouma the same. JT: we have the manager we want, the one who can help us to revive this situation. Diego Costa: if you ask every player in the world, they will all answer the same, that they'd like to work with three managers and one of them is this one.
'Who else? Fabregas, the same. Ramires, the same. Loftus-Cheek, the same. Cahill, the same. Eden Hazard, very similar,' commented Mourinho, before saying with a smile: 'So I think the mutiny must be... must be Baba (Rahman), Baba... who else? Papy (Djilobodji)? Falcao? Oscar? So these four don't play Saturday for sure. Official.'
Mourinho is reportedly losing control of the Chelsea dressing room with stars unhappy with the manager
Mourinho took charge of a Chelsea training session on Thursday ahead of their match with Aston Villa
Reports claim an unflattering nickname is being used to refer to Mourinho by several first-team players
Chelsea have struggled to reproduce their Barclays Premier League title-winning form from last season and Mourinho called for the club to back him after their latest defeat against Southampton.
A statement released by Chelsea backed the Blues boss after Mourinho warned owner Roman Abramovich he would be sacking 'the best manager the club has ever had' if they chose to get rid.
Journalists were invited to Chelsea's training ground last week to speak to players willing to defend Mourinho while goalkeeper Asmir Begovic labelled him the 'best manager in the world'.
Chelsea sit 16th on just eight points after as many games with only relegation candidates West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle United below in the table.
They were beaten 3-1 by Southampton at Stamford Bridge before the break amid the ongoing saga with popular club doctor Eva Carneiro, who has left Chelsea after her bust-up with Mourinho.
The manager took charge of a training session on Thursday ahead of their match with Aston Villa at home on Saturday and helped promote his book Mourinho on the evening in London.
The Premier League club recently backed Mourinho (right) as Chelsea put faith in their manager
Chelsea sit 16th with only West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle United below them
- Revealed: Jose Mourinho facing mutiny at Chelsea as players turn against him | Football | Sport | London Evening Standard
- Chelsea confident of turning things around with world's best manager Jose Mourinho in charge, insists Asmir Begovic | Daily Mail Online
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