adminChelsea manager Jose Mourinho has rejected claims that there is a player revolt at the club.
Earlier on Tuesday, Blues midfielder Cesc Fabregas denied reports that he was organising a “mini-revolt” at the Premier League champions.
Chelsea are 15th in the table, having lost six of their first 11 league matches this season.
“It’s a very sad accusation because you are accusing players, or one player, of dishonesty,” said Mourinho.
Speaking at a news conference, he added: “It is a question for the players. If I accuse you to be a dishonest journalist, you would be very upset and probably would take legal action.”
When asked if it was true that a Chelsea first-team player had said he would “rather lose than win” for Mourinho, as reported by BBC Radio 5 live’s Garry Richardson on Sunday, Blues skipper John Terry said “in my whole football career I’ve never heard a player come out with those words”.
Sat next to his manager at the same news conference, he added: “If players heard that among ourselves it wouldn’t go down well.
“It is ridiculous I have to talk about it. It hurts because people are fighting.”
Chelsea, who lost just three league games last season, are 14 points behind leaders Manchester City.
They are third in their Champions League group and host Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, before travelling to Stoke in the league on Saturday.
Mourinho blamed “a combination of factors” for his side’s poor form this season, which also saw the holders eliminated from the League Cup at Stoke last week.
Asked about the difference in form, he said: “I know why. I would be here for a long time to explain. Some of them I don’t want to touch. But, yes, I know. Everything is football-related.”
When asked if he was taking “too many bullets for the players”, he said: “For my players I do everything, I am not going to change.”
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu