West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has claimed that Chelsea could suffer relegation from the Premier League if they do not improve quickly.

Jose Mourinho's side lifted the coveted title in May, but seven months later, the Blues find themselves just one point above the drop zone after suffering nine defeats.

The Portuguese coach refused to accept that his team are fighting relegation following Monday night's 2-1 defeat to Leicester City, but Carroll thinks otherwise.

"It's crazy to see the quality in their team at the bottom of the league - it's tough to actually realise," Carroll told Sky Sports News. "They cannot string a pass together at the minute."

When asked if Chelsea are facing relegation, the West Ham striker said: "You never know, I think it's hard to actually say, but the way they're going, I don't see why they can't get relegated. It's obviously on the cards."

Manchester City are the only defending champions to be relegated from the top flight, and that was in 1937.