Chelsea

Steve Holland: 'We must share Chelsea blame'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 20 December 2015

Chelsea coach Steve Holland believes that everyone at the club must take "collective responsibility" for the form that led to Jose Mourinho's departure.

Chelsea coach Steve Holland has insisted that everybody at the club should take the blame for the team's poor form so far this season.

The Blues had lost nine of their 16 Premier League matches before Saturday's 3-1 victory over Sunderland, resulting in Jose Mourinho's departure just seven months after leading the club to the title.

Fans inside Stamford Bridge made their support for Mourinho clear during the win over the Black Cats, while also booing the likes of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, who were reported to be heavily involved in the Portuguese boss's departure.

However, when asked who should shoulder the bulk of the blame for this season's form, Holland argued that there should be "collective responsibility".

"If you stand and are photographed will all the trophies last season you have to stand by the troubles this season," Holland told Chelsea TV.

"I'm not one for attaching myself to success but detaching myself from failure, or from disappointment. That's the way everyone has to look at it, you can't have it both ways - so I think collective responsibility is the key phrase here.

"Once the second goal went in you could see the effect that had on them, and there were some signs of confidence coming back. So it was a very important win."

Chelsea take on in-form Watford on Boxing Day for what will be Guus Hiddink's first match in interim charge of the team.