Chelsea seek to end winless home run as European football returns

Chelsea go in search of a first home win of the season at the third attempt when Jose Mourinho's side open their Champions League Group G campaign against Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Wednesday night.

Chelsea go in search of a first home win of the season at the third attempt when Jose Mourinho's side open their Champions League Group G campaign against Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Wednesday night.

The Premier League champions, who lost to Crystal Palace after a draw with Swansea in their two Stamford Bridge contests to date, face the Israeli double winners seeking a strong start in a group which includes Mourinho's former club Porto and Dynamo Kiev.

Chelsea would usually be expected to brush aside a team managed by their former midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic, but Maccabi Tel-Aviv advanced to the group stages at the expense of Basle, the Swiss side who in 2013/14 twice beat the Blues.

Jokanovic also guided Watford into the Premier League last term.

Chelsea's stuttering start to the domestic season could receive a much-needed fillip with victory over Maccabi Tel-Aviv, who include former Blues defender Tal Ben Haim in their ranks.

The sides have never met competitively and Chelsea's only experience of Israeli opposition – in 2001/02 against Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the UEFA Cup – ended in defeat.

Maccabi Tel-Aviv lost twice to Stoke in the 2011/12 Europa League in their only contests with an English side and are in Europe's elite club competition for the first time in 11 seasons.

Attacking midfielder Eran Zahavi scored seven goals in the qualifying rounds and could be one to watch.

Chelsea exited the tournament to Paris St Germain at the first knockout stage last term and are keen to go further this season, although the priority will be to ensure at least a top-four finish in the Premier League and qualification for next season's competition.

Mourinho has not selected Papy Djilabodji, the Senegal defender signed from Nantes, in his Champions League squad in order to give exposure to promising attackers Bertrand Traore and Kenedy.

The Portuguese says he has plenty of central defensive cover, with Branislav Ivanovic among those able to operate there if needed as a fourth option.

“If he's in the Champions League squad Traore or Kenedy are not on the list,” Mourinho said.

“If Traore and Kenedy are not on the list in this moment you ask me why Traore and Kenedy are not on the list.

“Champions League can be a fantastic opportunity if they can play some minutes.

“We made that decision and because the group phase is six matches and we need to be very unlucky if in these six matches we need Djilabodji in the team, when we have John (Terry), (Gary) Cahill, (Kurt) Zouma and eventually Ivanovic.

“One thing is a short competition with six matches like Champions League, another thing is a domestic season with the Premier League and two cups.”

Chelsea owe Mourinho a big performance

Chelsea must return to top form in their Champions League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

There is little point in being coy. A lot of people in football are enjoying Chelsea’s discomfort.

The sight of the champions languishing in the bottom four of the Premier League has provoked an outpouring of malicious glee.

That may be a reflection of resentment at the glass ceiling which separates England’s elite clubs from the rest, but it does have wider implications.

Another setback at Stamford Bridge tonight, when Maccabi Tel Aviv’s visit promises to be a highlight of BT Sport’s Champions League coverage, borders on the unthinkable.

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Jose Mourinho is in predictably combative mood, but it is impossible to put a gloss on Chelsea’s worst start to a season for 29 years

Coming so soon after last night’s defeats for Manchester City and United, it would impact on the co-efficient which dictates how many English clubs qualify for European competition.

Jose Mourinho is in predictably combative mood, but it is impossible to put a gloss on Chelsea’s worst start to a season for 29 years.

They have already lost the same number of league games, three, as they did in the whole of the last campaign. Mourinho has promised change, to influence the dynamic of his squad.

Inevitably, the manager has been the lightning rod for criticism. He is used to such exposure, and habitually turns negativity to his advantage.

But this time he needs a response from his players, who have got off lightly for their indifferent form and dubious body language. They owe Mourinho, and themselves, a big performance.

Attention has, understandably, focused on the defence, where Branislav Ivanovic has been woefully out of form, John Terry has lost his natural authority and Gary Cahill appears to have regressed.

Yet the probable promotion of Reuben Loftus-Cheek highlights the breadth of current issues which need to be addressed.  Mourinho admits he needs to provide a better pathway for such Academy products if he is to fulfil his dynastic ambitions.

Reuben-Cheek, who started two league games towards the end of last season but has played only 17 minutes so far this season, has his attention. Now he must earn his trust.

The youngster will feature tonight alongside Nemanja Matic or Cesc Fabregas, each of whom has fallen way below their usual standards at the base of midfield.

Diego Costa, another recent underachiever, is likely to be saved for Saturday’s key home game against Arsenal, which will also be live on BT Sport.

The naturalised Spanish striker is an emotionally-driven, potentially self-destructive player. His fitness is suspect, following a series of hamstring injuries, and his inclination to wage war on all and sundry is becoming an unnecessary distraction. 

Perhaps the biggest challenge tonight faces Chelsea’s biggest player, Eden Hazard. He has failed conspicuously to sustain the form which made him Footballer of the Year.

At his best, he is Chelsea’s ultimate ambassador, a player of such subtlety and skill it is impossible to resent his success. He, above all, needs to give the critics a reason to believe.