Jose Mourinho criticised four of his players ahead of trip to Leicester

Jose Mourinho has aimed a dig at some of his players ahead of their game at Leicester.

Chelsea have been spectacularly bad in their defence of the Premier League title they won last year, with many expecting their manager to be shown the door. Beginning with Cesc Fabregas, Mourinho suggests that four of last season's key performers have not reached the same level they were at a year ago. "Last year he [Fabregas] had a huge responsibility for the quality of our team, he was fundamental," Mourinho is quoted as saying by the ​Mirror.

"This season he is at the same level as the team and it is difficult to play especially well.

“If you go player-by-player, last season - Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry - you could say were fantastic.

“This season it is more difficult to say this player is being magnificent."

This is the second time this season Mourinho has openly taken aim of his players. He named seven players, including the recently named quartet, as underperformers.

Leicester City host Chelsea and remain top of the Premier League, a staggering change from a year ago when they were bottom and were expected by many to be relegated.