Cesc Fabregas discusses Chelsea crisis, Eden Hazard scrutiny and Jose Mourinho full support

Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas believes that he, Eden Hazard and Diego Costas have been the three most scrutinised players in the Blues' poor start to the season because people expect so much of them after their impressive form the previous season. The former Arsenal star also insists that he still has a great relationship with manager Jose Mourinho despite having being dropped from the line-ups in recent games against Liverpool and Stoke City.

Fabregas enjoyed a remarkable return to English football last season following his arrival from Barcelona – providing 24 assists in 47 appearances. The Spaniard formed an extraordinary link with his compatriot Costa and was fundamental to helping Hazard in his award as best Premier League player of the year.

But the former Barcelona star has struggled to replicate that form in the start of the new season, losing even his place in Mourinho's line-up in recent key games like the visit of Liverpool to Stamford Bridge.

Speaking during an interview with Cadena Cope about the situation he said: "When you've achieved things, when you have done well you will be the first that when things go wrong you will be pointed out.

"In this case it is true those of us who have been most criticized are Hazard, Diego and myself, but you get used to it. Last year we did really well, winning the Premier League and the Capital One Cup, playing really well.

"But having played at Arsenal, in the Spain national team and Barcelona, with good and bad moments, at the end you get use to these things because we know how football works. When things go well you are the best and when things are bad you are over and useless."

The Spaniard, nevertheless, denied recent reports claiming he had been behind a mutiny against the manager as he insists the Portuguese boss is still the best man to turnaround the crisis.

"Obviously someone has invented that story. I don't know where it comes from but the news eventually came just a week after I backed him in a very difficult time," he said. "My relationship with Mourinho is good, as always, but when things aren't going well one looks for alternatives. I am sure we will improve.

"Mourinho is a winner, like me, when he loses he goes home p****d off like I do. When he wins he is happy but still wants more and in the day-to-day demands more. He is a great manager as he has proved in big teams and big leagues."

And asked whether he believes the boss will be sacked, he replied: "No. We are calm. We trust a lot in him. Just five months ago we were the champions, almost with the same team. The boss trusts us and we trust him. We just need some time. We have to be strong and more united than ever to turnaround the situation.

"Obviously the results are not what we would want and don't reflect the level of our play. I feel good in myself, but this is a team and the level of a player depends on the level of the team. When the results aren't coming everything is negative and everything looks bad. I hope to turnaround this."