Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that his side's start to the season has been the worst period of his entire career.

The English champions look a long way off successfully defending their Premier League title having recorded three defeats, two draws and just two victories, leaving them 14th in the table.

The West London outfit also suffered a dent in Europe as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Mourinho's former club Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"I define it as the worst period in my career, with the worst results in my career," Mourinho told reporters in this afternoon's press conference.

"I take it as a fantastic experience, but I don't want to repeat it, I want to finish it tomorrow and start winning matches again. I think it comes too late, to come after 15 years is too late.

"It should happen after two, three or four [years] but it is something that is helping me to be better. Not the hardest challenge, no, just the worst results."

The Blues will face Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.