John Obi Mikel: We're still playing for Jose Mourinho, there's no-one better for the Chelsea job

Mikel's man: Mourinho has received the backing of his midfield anchorman
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images
James Benge2 November 2015

John Obi Mikel believes Jose Mourinho is still the best man for the Chelsea job despite the champions’ disastrous recent form.

Saturday’s defeat to Liverpool was the sixth in the opening 11 games of the season, leaving Chelsea just four points above the relegation zone and 10 off the Champions League places.

Mourinho’s future at Stamford Bridge is now under serious doubt, with the manager reported to have lost the support of at least one member of his first-team squad during a disastrous start to his title defence. After the 3-1 loss on Saturday Mourinho said he still expects to be given time to turn around Chelsea’s form, and he still retains the support of Mikel in doing that.

“José knows this club more than any other manager,” Mikel told The Times. “He’s the most successful manager in the club’s history. Last year we were champions and we won two trophies so if anything is wrong, if anything can be fixed, he is the one to do it.

“There’s no one out there that is going to come in and fix what’s going on. If you tell the team that we are not giving 100 per cent then there is the doubt, but we are giving 100 per cent.”

On Sunday BBC reporter Garry Richardson claimed that one Chelsea first-team player “would rather lose than win for Mourinho” and Standard Sport reported last month that the embattled manager was facing a mutiny within his squad.

However Mikel maintains that the first-team are still behind Mourinho.

“We’re playing for the manager, we’re right behind him, and our performances show that we’re right behind him. He deserves a chance.

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“The fans are still behind him. The players are definitely behind him. We will turn things around, and it’s just a matter of time.”

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