Former Chelsea winger Andre Schurrle has backed under-fire manager Jose Mourinho to lift the Blues out of their early-season slump shortly.

The Premier League champions already sit 10 points behind top-of-the-table Manchester City after losing four of their first eight games to sit 16th.

Schurrle fell out of favour under the Portuguese last January before joining Wolfsburg, but the German is convinced that Mourinho has the nous to reverse the damage of their woes.

"I am not happy that Chelsea is in this position," he told Goal.com. "I still like this club and the players because I am still in touch with them.

"I am not happy that they are there. But I think with their quality and with this manager they will get back to the top."

The West Londoners, who have won eight points from a possible 24, host Aston Villa when domestic football resumes next Saturday.