Ahead of tonight's critical Champions League clash against Porto, Chelsea goalkeeper urges his struggling side to regroup and show why they were EPL champions last season
Chelsea 'keeper Thibaut Courtois
London: Thibaut Courtois believes "bad luck" is the reason behind Chelsea's nightmare first half of the Premier League season, ahead of their crucial Champions League encounter with Porto tonight.
Chelsea 'keeper Thibaut Courtois. Pic/Getty Images
The Blues have now lost eight of their 15 Premier League games following Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth and sit 14th in the table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
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In the European competition, Chelsea are top of Group G ahead of their final group stage game. However, they are likely to need a win or draw to progress, with third-placed Dynamo Kiev, who have eight points, expected to beat bottom side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Nevertheless, Courtois — who returned to the starting XI against Bournemouth after missing 17 games through injury — hopes success in the European competiton could be the catalyst they need to boost their league form.
"I think we have been a bit unlucky some games this season, but we have the same good team as last year and that team won the league. So I think we have the quality to get out of this situation," Courtois told Chelsea's website.
"We just have to fight every day, every game. It's an important week for us. On Wednesday, we have to win to make sure we are first (in our group) and qualify (for the knockout stages). That will be a big boost for the team as well.
"We have to regroup again and show strength against Porto in the Champions League and next Monday at Leicester."
Mourinho, meanwhile, insisted that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich still thinks he is the best man to manage the club. The Portuguese has come under intense scrutiny throughout this season, but he is sure that Abramovich will not make any changes on a whim.
"I think I have done enough good things at the club for the owner to know the quality I have," he told his pre-match media conference yesterday.
"I don't think the owner is a person to change with the wind. I know the wind is really strong because of the results in the Premier League, but I also know he feels I am best for the club. The owner showed belief in me twice, first when he brought me back to the club and second when he gave me a new contract. He knows who I am, what I give to the club," he added.
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