Chelsea defender John Terry has called on his teammates to rally behind under-fire manager Jose Mourinho, describing the Portuguese as the right man to get the club out of their slump.

The champions' torrid start to the new season continued on Saturday evening against Southampton, as goals from Steven Davis, Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle ensured that the Blues would fall to a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Terry told Chelsea's official website: "We have a big group of players and we have the best manager who we remain behind and we remain together. That is what you do in tough circumstances.

"I have been here a long time and I have seen managers come and go and if anyone is going to get us out of this hole it is going to be Jose Mourinho.

"And the players will remain together and fight, and keep fighting for the supporters because they were excellent on Saturday."

Defeat against the Saints saw the Blues fall to 16th in the Premier League table.