Pre-season affected Chelsea’s start – Sinclair

Chelsea’s lack of games in pre-season has been a factor in their poor start to the campaign, according to former Blues defender Frank Sinclair.

The midweek Champions League defeat against Porto was the fourth loss in 10 matches so far this term – the fifth if the Community Shield loss against Arsenal is included.

“For whatever reason the preparation did not seem ideal,” Sinclair told West London Sport.

“Players were away representing their country and it seems like they were having to rest players who had played too much football.

“Chelsea didn’t play enough games and they didn’t look sharp.”

But Sinclair, who is coaching in the youth set-up at Oldham Athletic after a brief spell in interim charge of non-League Brackley Town, is confident Jose Mourinho will soon turn things around.

“Good players don’t become bad players overnight,” Sinclair added. “And with Jose’s capabilities as a manager, I expect them to creep up the table.

“Maybe the pre-season was a calculated risk and we will see them coming on strong and having a much better end to the season.

“It’s been a dodgy start and no one would have anticipated it. They were so good last season but there have been some good signs too, like the win over Arsenal.