Nemanja Matic has claimed that Chelsea's position in the Premier League table does not accurately reflect their efforts this season.

The champions lost 1-0 at Stoke City on Saturday for their seventh league defeat of the season as Jose Mourinho's side sit 16th, three points clear of the relegation zone.

Although Matic claims that it is an 'unrealistic' position, the Blues midfielder urged his teammates to plot their resurgence with the same game-by-game formula which saw them ease to the title last season.

"I think we deserve more. We are not used to being in this position," the Serbian is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

"But we don't look at the table because last year when we were champions, we just tried to take it game by game and wait for Manchester City to drop points. The table is not realistic now."

Mourinho has two weeks in which to prepare for the visit of Norwich City following the international break.