Jose Mourinho: Chelsea’s ‘big club status’ will be at risk if fans accept defeats

Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea fans must be careful in settling for defeats even if the team plays well.

The Blues lost 2-1 at home to Liverpool on Sunday but having gone 2-0 down in the first half showed great spirit to pull a goal back after the break and push Jurgen Klopp’s men all the way to the final whistle.

Should Chelsea fans be ruthless? Five things to know…

• Chelsea have had 11 different managers since Claudio Ranieri left in 2004, excluding caretakers.
• Roman Abramovich is renowned for being ruthless with sackings.
• Lampard replaced Maurizio Sarri in the summer.
• So far, fans have been supportive of the club legend despite some negative results.
• But Mourinho believes accepting defeat risks their “big club status”.

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The performance was met with a standing ovation from Chelsea fans at the end, with most of the fanbase allowing plenty of patience for new manager and club legend Frank Lampard to put his stamp on the squad.

But ex-Chelsea boss Mourinho has issued caution toward this mentality, claiming Londoners risk losing their “big club status” if fans accept defeat.

“I hope they don’t get used to it [losing] – that’s the important thing,” he told Sky Sports.

“When you start accepting defeats just because your team play well and your players gave it their best for the people to be proud, in terms of their application and commitment.

“I think when you get used to it, big clubs stop being big clubs. They shouldn’t get used to it.”

Mourinho went on to suggest Chelsea won’t be in the title hunt this season given that Liverpool are already 10 points clear of them in the Premier League table, but that the Blues are showing signs of building toward a positive style under Lampard.

He added: “It shows people are ready for the season and ready to accept what the season is going to be under a manager who is one of the best professionals I worked with and a potentially top manager.

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“The reality of the numbers say Liverpool are 10 points ahead of Chelsea – they aren’t going to fight for the title. Let’s support the philosophy of giving time for the players and the manager to work together.

“I like their ideas. I think their style of play is being adapted to what football is like nowadays and adapted to the profile of the players they now have. In this moment, they are far away from being able to compete for titles.”

Chelsea face Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night before hosting Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.