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Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry and Graeme Souness on Chelsea's struggles

Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas show their dejection against Southampton
Image: Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas show their dejection against Southampton

Jamie Carragher says Chelsea are now in a battle to even reach the top four, while Thierry Henry and Graeme Souness insist manager Jose Mourinho's job is still safe.

Chelsea lost their fourth Premier League game of the season against Southampton on Saturday Night Football, going down 3-1 having lost in the Champions League at Porto in midweek.

The Blues were booed off after a fourth loss in eight Premier League games left them 16th in the table, one place below newly-promoted Bournemouth.

Chelsea in crisis
Chelsea in crisis

Talking points as the champions struggles continue

And Carragher, speaking on Super Sunday, says their title challenge is now over, and that the efforts of his players will be a major concern to Mourinho - who has been backed by his captain John Terry.

"It is without a doubt [the end of their title challenge]. The fight on now is top four, as Jose mentioned, that's the target for them now," he said.

"That second half is the worst half I've seen from Chelsea this season. We talk about the mentality of the team, the fragility of it. It goes to 1-1 and the team completely fall away.

"Last season we watched Manchester City and were very critical of them in terms of desire, appetite. This is a lot worse.

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"Jose Mourinho has been criticised for speaking publicly about his players, but the way they're playing, he has to.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho gestures during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton
Image: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho shows the pressure on the touchline against Southampton at Stamford Bridge

"We've never seen something like this in the Premier League era, maybe go back to Leeds United 25 years ago, for the champions to perform so poorly.

"The big worry for Jose Mourinho is that he's built success on players running through a brick wall for him. You watch the team now and they're in quicksand.

"They can't run, I've never seen a team look so slow, laboured. It doesn't look like they are [playing for him], and that has to be the biggest worry for Mourinho and Chelsea."

Mourinho's first spell at the club ended after Chelsea had picked up 11 points out of a possible 18 in the first six games of the 2007/08 season, but this time around they have just eight points from a possible 24.

Nevertheless, Souness believes Mourinho's job is not under threat, but he admits both the players and manager will be assessing each other critically.

He said: "I don't think he's vulnerable at this time. What he's done for that football club, what he's done for the vast majority of those players, that buys him a certain amount of time, but this is a whole new experience for him.

Graziano Pelle stuns Stamford Bridge with Southampton's third goal
Image: Graziano Pelle stuns Stamford Bridge with Southampton's third goal

"He'll be looking at some of the players he regarded as winners, big personalities, achievers, and be asking them to have a look in the mirror.

"But on the other side of the coin, they'll be looking at him very closely. This is a whole new ball game for him. He's never had to confront this situation before.

"He's coming out and questioning the attitude of some of them, which is the beginning of a very dangerous road to go down."

Henry agreed - and says Mourinho is facing a problem he has rarely faced before in his managerial tenure.

"I don't think he is in danger. The danger is trying to make top four, like he said himself," Henry said.

"He's facing the toughest challenge he's ever had in his career. For the first time he has to make sure he can bring those players along.

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"Are they still buying into what he's asking them to do? I don't think so. They didn't look like a team who were very interested in winning the game. I didn't see that togetherness between the boss and his players.

"He's going to have to face something that he never before has faced because he never stayed long at a club."

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