Jose Mourinho future under the spotlight as Chelsea continue to struggle

The Londoners plunged to their ninth league defeat of the season on Tuesday, losing 2-1 at leaders Leicester City to slip to fifth from bottom.

The Daily Mail said that the Chelsea board was due to meet to discuss Mourinho’s position yesterday, while the Daily Telegraph claimed the club’s hierarchy was drawing up a list of potential replacements.

But while Roman Abramovich ponders over Mourinho’s future with the rest of Stamford Bridge’s top brass, the 52-year-old returned to training.

Mourinho accused his players of “betrayal” in the aftermath of the defeat at the King Power Stadium, which left Chelsea sitting just one point above the relegation zone and in serious danger of having to battle against the drop this term – in stark contrast to their initial aims of trying to retain their title and securing Champions League football for next season.

There has been significant talk about the future of Jose Mourinho during Chelsea’s poor form, however, none had come so from the club themselves.

The Times has reported that Chelsea are considering appointing former Sevilla and Tottenham boss Juande Ramos as a stop-gap replacement for Mourinho should they decide to sack the Portuguese.

Chelsea were paired with Paris Saint-Germain during Monday’s draw for the Champions League round of 16 and Matic expects a tight tie.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas said Tuesdays there can be no excuses as Chelsea attempt to turn around their season. “If you are a big player, and paid like a big player, you must play like a big player and behave like a big player”, Fabregas told a Facebook question and answer session yesterday.

Players were demonstrating a united front in official club publications. Right now is not the time to think of where we might finish, we’ve been saying it nearly all season.

“When things aren’t going well, you work even harder and look for a reaction”. I’m sure we’ll turn it around’.

“We have to try to be better than we were”.