Jose Mourinho says he will make changes in search of a “different dynamic” following Chelsea’s disappointing start to the season.
Saturday’s defeat at Everton meant Mourinho’s side have made Chelsea’s worst start to a top-flight campaign since 1986 and are 11 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.
There has therefore been speculation that out-of-form players such as Branislav Ivanovic and Cesc Fabregas could be dropped by Mourinho.
The Blues boss confirmed he is planning to freshen things up for the match against Maccabi Tel Aviv but played down the significance of any changes he will make.
Mourinho said: “I like my squad, I like my players and trust my players but obviously I have a squad – I don’t have 10 players and have to always play the same team and can make changes.
“I know the consequences of that. If I make a couple of changes in my team, instead of you saying ‘He has a squad, he has more options, he’s looking for a new dynamic, he wants to give chances to some people who are working hard for that’, you are going to say that if I leave out Azpilicueta it’s because I have a problem with Azpilicueta, if I leave out John Terry it’s because I have a problem with John Terry, if I leave out Fabregas it’s because I have a problem with Fabregas.
“I cannot be worried about what you say or write. I have to be just worried with my team and my players, and yes I am going to make a couple of changes because I think I have to try a different dynamic.
“I have to try a couple of different faces and I have to give chances to some people who have not been playing and have been working hard to play.”
Speaking to the media ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League game, Mourinho acknowledged that morale is inevitably low following recent results.
“This is a question you keep asking and it is a question always with the same answer,” he said.
“You cannot expect me to answer you that we are all smiles and laughing and joking.
“It’s a basic answer: when people are not getting the success they work for – and I promise you we work a lot – people are obviously frustrated and not happy.”
Oscar, who has been out injured since the draw at home to Swansea on the opening day of the season, will return for Chelsea and Baba Rahman is set to make his debut, but Radamel Falcao has been ruled out after picking up an injury in training.
This post was last modified on 15/09/2015