Ivanovic: Blame The Players  (Sky Sports)

Branislav Ivanovic says Chelsea's struggles this season are simply down to the players.

Chelsea have made their worst start to a Premier League campaign, having lost seven of their first 12 matches, in marked contrast to their title-winning form of last season.

There have been suggestions that boss Jose Mourinho has lost the support of the dressing room, while others have claimed the problems can be traced to a shortened pre-season. Ivanovic, however, insists the issue lies with the first-team squad alone.

He told the Evening Standard: "We didn't react well after winning the League trophy last season. The only way to get out of this situation is to win, win and win again. No one has seen anything strange in the team. I don't think any footballer wants to lose a game. It doesn't matter the situation around you, your job is to win, your passion is winning games.

"I think all of the Chelsea players approach the game like that. The players are very honest with each other. We speak a lot, even during the training sessions we try to help and explain things to each other.

"Even when someone criticises another one, it is positive. That is important, there is nothing negative. This is a normal situation."

Ivanovic has missed the last seven matches because of a hamstring injury but could return to the starting line-up against Norwich this weekend.

He said: "We have been playing much better in the last few matches. We are starting to look more like last season.

"The games that are coming up may be some of the most important for us in the season, in terms of the psychology of the moment. We have to show we are back.

"It was a very difficult start to the season for all of us, now the team are playing better. I'm working hard to get my fitness back and I hope I'm going to be at the level I have to be after my injury.

"Jose is always working on the psychological moments. He wants to lift us when we are in difficult situations.

"From the first minute with us this season, the fans have been behind us. This is great for the manager. He has the full support of the players. The only people who can change this are the manager, the coaching team and the players. We have to be strong."