IN TROUBLE

Defending champions fight to boost flagging morale

LONDON for Conte, and Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta summed up the glum feeling after the Roma game when he said: “The mood at the moment is not the best.

“We had the game in our hands when we were 2-0 up, but we also had it lost when we were 3-2 down.

“It is true we are not in our best moment. We came into the game after two consecutive defeats in the Premier League.

“To come back into the game to get a point is big for the team, to show the character and that we won’t give up.

“The reality is we have gone three games without a win and we will try to get back to winning ways on Saturday.”

Chelsea captain Gary Cahill admits the squad has been stretched thin by the hectic fixture schedule.

But the defender is staying upbeat, claiming they have a chance to play their way back into form during the busy period.

Cahill, who should start despite having stitches in his head against Roma, said: “It does take a toll. Certainly it is because you are playing every three days and the recovery in between is short.

“Alongside that we are having important injuries and everyone knows we don’t have a humongous squad. I don’t want to look at them as excuses, they are facts.”

Cahill added: “I think we have to look at the amount of games we are playing as a help. You need to work on the training pitch as well, but you need games to put it into practice. I think it is a positive for us.