Former Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge has claimed that the Blues are struggling this season because their team lacks leaders.

Jose Mourinho's side have made a poor start to their Premier League title defence, losing eight of their 15 games so far this term to languish 14th in the table, 17 points behind leaders Leicester City.

Bridge, who was part of Mourinho's Premier League-winning side in the 2004-05 season, has said that the current Chelsea team does not have same influential characters that the previous vintage did.

"When I was there we had quite a few leaders in the changing room," the 35-year-old told The Independent.

"We had John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, but I don't really see as many leaders in this side compared to when I was there.

"I don't believe these rumours [of discontent] but if the media keep talking about it, people might start to believe it.

"I keep wondering every week, is this the week they start winning? But it just doesn't happen. With the players they have, [Mourinho] should definitely be able to turn it around."

Chelsea travel to Leicester on Monday.