player reportedly briefing against Jose Mourinho is,
saying the situation "angers" him.
Former Chelsea first-team coach Ray Wilkins was angry to learn
of reported dissent from within the Stamford Bridge dressing
room towards under-fire manager Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea's pitiful Premier League title defence lurched from bad
to worse on Saturday as they surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 3-1
at home to Liverpool, a sixth defeat in 11 league matches this
season.
Eden Hazard, Nemanja Matic, Diego Costa, Branislav Ivanovic
and Cesc Fabregas have been among those to struggle badly so
far this season, while long-serving captain John Terry was also
dropped in September.
Wilkins appeared as a guest on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek
programme to address claims that an unnamed Chelsea player
has turned decisively against Mourinho.
Host Garry Richardson said that "a Chelsea first-team player"
had informed him through "a football contact" that Mourinho's
dressing room "relationship, in particular with Eden Hazard is
under immense strain".
Most damningly, Richardson reported that the player said "I'd
rather lose than win for him [Mourinho]".
Wilkins, who most recently worked on the Stamford Bridge staff
between September 2008 and November 2010, said: "First and
foremost, I'd like to pick up what you said about the player in
the dressing room - what about winning for yourself and your
team-mates?"
"I'd love to know who that guy was, I'm intrigued. I find that an
appalling statement that he's come out with.
"It angers me a touch, I have to say. Get on with your own job."
Wilkins believes that senior members of the Chelsea dressing
room remain behind Mourinho, who he feels is still the right
man for the job.
He added that disgruntled players are part of life at any football
club.
"You're talking about an individual that's come to you
[Richardson], or spoken to you or spoken through a third party
who is coming out with these tales," he said.
"In any dressing room if a player isn't selected, a player isn't
happy. He only keeps 11 players happy at one given period.
"Whichever manager you are, whichever club you manage - you
keep 11 people happy. The rest are disgruntled. Disgruntled
players will be from 12 onwards."
Wilkins served as assistant to Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa until
the latter was sacked earlier this month.
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