Poyet: Mourinho and Chelsea facing uncharted territory

Gus Poyet says Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho faces a new test in his career as he fights for his future at Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League champions have picked up just eight points from their first eight games of the season and sit in 16th place in England's top flight.

Speculation has mounted over the future of Mourinho - who is in the third season of his second stint in charge of the club - prompting the Blues to back him in a statement earlier this week.

But Poyet - who was a Chelsea player between 1997 and 2001 - says the former Real Madrid and Inter boss is in uncharted territory.

At the Leaders Sport Business summit, he said: "We are all different and every manager would react differently to the situation. I am different from Jose.

"It wasn't expected, that's the problem. We didn't expect Chelsea to be in this position. Everything is going a little bit against them. It's a new situation for the club and Jose.

"Pre-season didn't go too well, they lost the Community Shield, then they drew 2-2, the goalkeeper was sent-off, they got smashed by Manchester City and it built up. 

"I know what it's like because I was at Sunderland and that happened week in, week out."