Rumours of discontent at Chelsea as Jose Mourinho's 'brutal criticism' harms morale

Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail claims that senior Blues players including John Terry, Cesar Azpilicueta and Nemanja Matic have been left stunned by the stinging individual criticism that has been directed there way – in front of the rest of the squad – at different points over the start of the season, which has seen Chelsea lose five of their 11 games to date.

Ashton claims that Mourinho’s outbursts have harmed the dressing room mood, with the fact other players also perceived to be underperforming – like Branislav Ivanovic, Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa – have largely escaped specific attention harming the dressing room dynamic

Ashton writes:

"The dressing room has become volatile, with Chelsea’s manager attempting to provoke his players after their lacklustre, pedestrian start to the season.

On Wednesday, after the players returned from Porto, he called them into a meeting to re-assert his authority. The gist of his address to the squad was to tell them that he was convinced he still has their support, still in control as they attempt to arrest this alarming slump.

When Mourinho was in control at the start of last season, the Chelsea manager was easy-going and approachable. Understandably he has been tetchy and irritable in recent weeks, struggling to contain his emotions during the frequent exchanges with his squad. The forward-thinking players want to play with freedom, to showboat on the ball and approach matches with a sense of adventure.

Mourinho’s tactical approach restricts them, with incessant demands about team shape and awareness, with or without the ball, that have only intensified since the downturn in results."

Ashton also describes some of Mourinho's tirades as "belittling", hinting at a manager under increasing pressure to turn things around.

Mourinho currently has issues on and off the pitch, with Football Association chairman Greg Dyke saying on Thursday that the Portuguese "should have apologised" to Dr Eva Carneiro after criticising her in a game at the start of the season.