Thursday 8 October 2015 22:59, UK
Gary Cahill believes it was important for Chelsea to express their support for under-fire Jose Mourinho.
The struggling Premier League champions are languishing 16th in the table after Southampton handed Mourinho his fourth league defeat of the season last weekend.
Mourinho challenged the club to stick with him or sack him in a seven-minute outburst to Sky Sports following the Stamford Bridge defeat, while the Blues responded by releasing a statement saying he retained their "full support".
It is a move centre-back Cahill certainly supports, highlighting the success and calibre of the man at the Stamford Bridge helm.
"(The statement) is important," he said. "I think everybody knows the situation we're in at the moment.
"It has been a very, very difficult start. The Southampton game, for me personally, was a real low and I've come away here totally determined to make that right when I come back.
I don't even think he needs backing, but obviously it is nice to have that and he has certainly got that from the players and the club.
"That's the kind of attitude I've got towards it all and I am sure my other team-mates are probably feeling the same - pure determination to turn it around and make sure that when we have the good times again, they're even sweeter because of what we've been through. I think that's important.
"I think in terms of backing the manager, of course we all back him, of course we are all around him.
"Dare I say, he doesn't even need backing, when you've done so much in the game, got the CV and been through everything that he has been, not just in this league or what he has done for Chelsea but in other leagues.
"I don't even think he needs backing, but obviously it is nice to have that and he has certainly got that from the players and the club."
Cahill was one of seven Chelsea players singled out for criticism by the Portuguese earlier this season, but the England vice captain believes Mourinho has every right to round on the players following their woeful start to the season.
"We've had a very disappointing start to the season," Cahill said. "It's something we all want to address. When I get criticised, I have a determination to try and put it right, work hard and not start sulking about.
"He (Mourinho) wasn't happy with the way I was playing, along with a few others, and he has every right to let us know that.
"Through tough times, we all need to stick together and turn it round together."
