PREMIER LEAGUE: 'I'd rather lose than win for Mourinho' - One Chelsea player's astonishing claim

A member of Chelsea's first-team squad would "rather lose than win" for Jose Mourinho, according to BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Garry Richardson. Sportsweek's Richardson reported that Mourinho's relationship with his player had hit "rock bottom". He said: "Let me tell you what I know on the Chelsea story. My information comes from a Chelsea first team player.

"The information was actually passed to me by a football contact. I was told that Jose Mourinho's relationship with many of his players is at rock bottom.

"I was told they're fed up with the way he's been dealing with some of them. They're fed up with his outbursts. I was told that his relationship particularly with Eden Hazard was under immense strain."

He added:  "Here's a staggering quote. One player said recently, 'I'd rather lose than win for him'. Now that last quote may well have been said in the heat of the moment, but it perhaps gives an insight into the mood of some of the players."

Some incredulous Chelsea fans questioned the veracity of the quote, but Richardson was defended by 5 Live deputy editor Simon Clancy.