Mourinho not giving up on top-four finish
Chelsea's task does not get any easier with Jose Mourinho's men set to face Premier League leaders Leicester on Monday.
Despite Chelsea's difficult start to the 2015-16 Premier League season, manager Jose Mourinho is not giving up on a top-four finish come May.
Mourinho's Chelsea are 14th in the table after 15 games, winning four and losing eight.
The Premier League are 17 points behind league-leaders Leicester City - their opponents on Monday - and 14 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
But Mourinho said Chelsea are refusing to give up on a spot in the top four until it is mathematically impossible.
"It's not easy any more for the top clubs to win three or four in a row. We can get four or five consecutive victories and because no-one is doing that," he said.
"We have the chance to shorten the lead and dream of a great finish to finish fourth. While it is mathematical possible we try."
The 52-year-old also praised the Chelsea fans who have stuck with him through their rough patch.
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"The fans are being absolutely incredible with us. I don't even know how to react to how nice they are," Mourinho said.
"When they sing my name, I am a little embarrassed.
"When you are champion, when you are winning matches you show your emotion.
"I know for sure Chelsea fans don't have a memory problem. If they did, they don't treat me like this.
"Their support is more than I could expect after such a bad season. I know that last season we were champions but this season has been really bad."