Churning gets Jose hungry

After only two matches of the new season the biggest threat to Chelsea8217;s ambition to retain their title may come from disgruntled playe...

After only two matches of the new season the biggest threat to Chelsea8217;s ambition to retain their title may come from disgruntled players in the dressing room rather than the opposition on the pitch.

Jose Mourinho8217;s highly-paid, multi-talented champions have not been at their best and have still gained 1-0 wins over Wigan and, more significantly, title challengers Arsenal.

After the last-gasp victory at Wigan, Mourinho tore into his players before joking: 8216;8216;To play so badly and to get three points we must be very, very good.8217;8217;

On Sunday a lucky goal off Didier Drogba8217;s knee broke a 10-year winless streak against last season8217;s runners-up Arsenal, handing the West London side a big psychological boost.

8216;8216;The first game we played badly, the second game we played ok8217;8217;, Mourinho said. 8216;8216;We know we can improve.8217;8217;

Backed by Roman Abramovich8217;s billions, Chelsea were able to bring some 70 million pounds 126.3 million of substitutes off the bench against Arsenal. Seven international players did not even make the squad.

Among them was Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho, who suffered a dressing-down from his boss last week after voicing his displeasure at not being picked for the opening match.

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Mourinho fined Carvalho and let rip at him in front of his teammates, before questioning the player8217;s IQ to reporters.

Nor did he let the matter lie after an apology from the defender, rubbing salt into his compatriot8217;s wounds in the match programme on Sunday.

8216;8216;One of the many reasons why Chelsea were champions last season was because everybody thought about Chelsea and nobody had selfish feelings8217;8217;, he wrote. 8216;8216;Maybe when you are reading this, maybe Riccy is sitting in the stand not on the bench or on the pitch, maybe he is also reading this and maybe he understands now.8217;8217;

Carvalho was not alone in voicing disquiet, however.

Winger Arjen Robben, who took Stamford Bridge by storm with his dribbling skills last season, also went public with worries about the depth of the squad, saying he did not want to be left on the bench in a rotation system.

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Mourinho was more forgiving of the Dutchman, who played the first hour against Arsenal although he will not be starting the next game against West Bromwich Albion.

8216;8216;It is completely different8230;He has an opinion, he expresses that opinion. I know about it before I read it in the press,8221; Mourinho said. 8216;8216;But of course I don8217;t change my mind8230;next Wednesday he will on the bench.8221;

Robben8217;s absence could mean a first start for Joe Cole, who made the England side last week but was not even in Chelsea8217;s squad against Arsenal.

Questioned about Cole, Mourinho lamented the FA8217;s policy of sticking to five substitutes instead of the European norm of seven. 8216;8216;If today we were in Spain, Italy, Germany or Portugal I would have Joe on the bench8217;8217;, Mourinho said on Sunday.

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Scant comfort for a man aiming for a permanent spot in England8217;s midfield in a World Cup season.

Reuters