Diego Costa has leapt to the defence of under-fire Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho by insisting that the players must shoulder the bulk of the blame for their early-season collapse.
The Blues' Premier League title defence took another turn for the worse on Saturday as they went down 2-1 at West Ham United for their fifth league defeat in 10 games.
With Chelsea 15th in the table, 11 points behind leaders Manchester City and Arsenal, Mourinho's future at Stamford Bridge is reportedly under threat amid speculation that the club has lined up Pep Guardiola to succeed him.
"I think we are to blame, the players," Costa told Soccer AM. "Like I've been saying we came back too relaxed and thinking we were going to win it again like last season.
"I think the other teams got stronger and we have to take a further step in terms of quality and effort as a group."
The 52-year-old manager shunned his post-match interviews following the defeat at Upton Park.
Shane Callaghan
