Jamie Redknapp has said that Jose Mourinho is "dragging Chelsea down" and is adamant that the manager has to take responsibility for the club's fall from grace this season after the defeat to Stoke City.
The Blues lost 1-0 at Stoke City to leave them 16th in the Premier League table, just three points clear of the relegation zone with only three wins from their first 12 matches.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Redknapp said that something is "dramatically wrong" at the Premier League champions and that the Portuguese boss should be taking responsibility for what is happening this season.
"This time after 12 games last season they had not lost, now they have lost seven matches - something is dramatically wrong," he said. "It cannot be right. They breezed the league last year, to be in this situation is unprecedented, I cannot remember a team ever performing like this after winning the title.
"Mourinho has to take a lot of responsibility for that; the club doctor [situation], taking John Terry off at half-time against Man City, subbing Nemanja Matic on and off, Eden Hazard's form, a stadium ban, how many more things can there be?"
"You almost feel that he is dragging the club down with his behaviour and if it carries on I do not know what you can do. The problem is who do you get? It is not that easy. Because of his reputation maybe you should give him more time but this is more than worrying, this is terrible times for Chelsea."
The seven defeats for Chelsea this season is the worst ever start to a Premier League season by a defending champion, and the most losses that Mourinho has ever suffered in a season in his managerial career.
