Former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has backed under-fire Jose Mourinho to find a solution for the Blues' early-season woes.

The Londoners' Premier League title defence took another turn for the worst on Saturday when they lost 2-1 at West Ham United for their fifth league defeat in 10 outings.

It left them 15th in the table, 11 points behind co-leaders Manchester City and Arsenal, but the Italian, who has been linked with replacing his Portuguese counterpart, is certain that Mourinho will "sort it out".

"I didn't expect this crisis, but I do understand the reasons behind these problems. I think they are feeling sated," Ancelotti, who replaced Mourinho as Real Madrid boss in 2013, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Last year they won by a mile, now they are more relaxed. Don't worry, Mourinho will sort it out. He is the right man."

Speculation has mounted that Chelsea will part ways with the 52-year-old if Liverpool beat them next Saturday.