Chelsea latest news: Jose Mourinho set to drop four key players ahead of Champions League game

CHELSEA’S poor Premier League start could see four key players lose their spot come Thursday’s Champions League game, with Jose Mourinho set to wield the axe.

Chelsea's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho gives a press conference at Chelsea's training ground, in Stoke D'Abernon, near London, on September 15, 2015, ahead of the team's forthcoming UEFA Champions League group G football match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK

JOSE Mourinho insisted he is under no pressure as Chelsea manager although he admitted it was a “strange feeling” losing after his side’s less than convincing start to the Premier League season.

The Portuguese was in relaxed mood on the eve of Wednesday’s first Champions League Group G match at home to Maccabi Tel-Aviv of Israel despite Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Everton seeing his team drop to 17th in the league, their worst top-flight start in 29 years.

He said: “I am the current champion of England: why should I be in trouble? Why? I think that’s a good question you don’t know how to answer.

“Three months ago we were the best team in the country, the best manager, the players. We know what we are, champions of England. It’s not because we started so bad — and it really is so bad — that somebody can steal what we are.

Jose Mourinho is considering dropping four key players.

“Nobody can steal our trophies, our history. Nobody can do that. You can try, but you can’t do that. We know what we are. Champions of England.”

Despite oozing confidence in the press room, Mourinho is expected to be ruthless when it comes to team selection, with John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic all expected to sit out the midweek tie.

“We are not all smiles, laughing and joking,” said Mourinho of the mood within the group. “When people are not getting their success that you work for, and I promise you we work a lot for that, people are frustrated and not happy. That’s basic.

“I’m not here after a defeat waiting for the next match to come. I’m here working every day, working on many different items. Speaking to players? Of course. Analysing matches? Of course.

“I promise you we are working. When we say business as usual, it’s true. Business as usual, with one difference. We are not happy.

“There is one point that is fundamental in football for sure, and that is the confidence levels. Especially with people who are used to winning all the time. When you don’t it’s a strange feeling.”

THIRD SEASON BLUES

Mourinho did snap at one question asking about his impact on his third season at previous clubs.

“My third season in Porto, I didn’t have a third season,” he said. “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.

“How important is building a dynasty? I think that’s another question. I haven’t done that. This is the first time I’m going for that, and I don’t have experience of it in the past. I have nothing to show to anyone. Nothing.” Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who is set to make his Champions League bow in the continued absence of Thibaut Courtois, backed his manager.

“You just need to look at the way he goes about his business, his coaching, his managerial techniques,” he said.

“You can see what makes him the best manager in the world, watching how he works. We’re behind him. We can remember what this team is and what this team is capable of.

“We have some of the best players in the world, and we know how to get results.” Chelsea will be without Radamel Falcao with a tendon injury but Mourinho believes it will be only a one-game absence.

Originally published as Chelsea latest news: Jose Mourinho set to drop four key players ahead of Champions League game