Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has claimed that under-fire manager Jose Mourinho remains the best man to lead the Premier League champions out of their early-season blues.

Mourinho's future at Stamford Bridge has come under scrutiny in recent days after the West Londoners lost 3-1 at home to Southampton to sit 16th in the table, winning just eight points from a possible 24.

The Portuguese, who led Chelsea to their fourth league title in May, was given a vote of confidence on Monday, and Fabregas, who has come in for criticism himself, is determined to improve and dig his manager out of trouble.

"He is the best coach in the history of the club and the best we can have," he told Radio Marca. "Personally, he helped me in a very complicated moment of my career and he gives me confidence.

"I will do whatever he asks. In face-to-face situations he helps me a lot and I respect him for that. We [Chelsea] are not well, but we will do better.

"We have the best coach for the club. People have not forgotten that five months ago we won the Premier League and a cup, but we have to change the situation fast and soon."

The champions sit 10 points behind top-of-the-table Manchester City.