Chelsea legend Bobby Tambling has suggested that problems in Jose Mourinho’s private life may be a key reason why things have been going so badly for the Blues so far this season.
The current incumbent has found his position at Chelsea in jeopardy following a miserable start to the campaign. The Pensioners have lost their last three matches—a defeat to West Ham United, a midweek Capital One Cup elimination at the hands of Stoke City (on penalties), and a home loss to Liverpool this weekend—and sit in lowly 15th place in the Premier League.
The reigning champions have lost six of their opening 11 matches, and sit 14 points off leaders Manchester City.
As such, Mourinho is under pressure, and reportedly has only two more jobs to save his job.
Speaking to Reuters, Chelsea great Tambling has advanced his theory as to why the Blues are struggling so far this season.
“There are so many players not playing to their form and that can only be down to one of two things, either they were not fit at the start of the season or there is a problem in the dressing room,” the former striker began.
“(Manager) Jose Mourinho’s father has also been very ill and I just wonder whether all these trips he’s making backwards and forwards to Portugal are wearing him out.
“His backup team, and he’s got about five or six of them, should be putting forward their ideas, telling him when he’s wrong, if they’re any good at their jobs.
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“Chelsea have lost a lot of leaders in the dressing room, Petr Cech, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba. John Terry will still be a strong voice in there though, he’s that sort of character.”
Tambling began his career at the club and scored 164 league goals in 302 league outings, winning the League Cup with Chelsea in 1965.