Gary Cahill insists Chelsea team are behind manager Jose Mourinho and still believe in his style after defeat by West Ham

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Champions-elect before a ball was kicked but 15th with a quarter of a season gone and a vote of confidence already issued for Jose Mourinho, the story of Chelsea’s struggle has been the most perplexing subplot of the season.

And Gary Cahill is as baffled as anyone. Even with an insider’s perspective he is searching for answers. Human nature is such that most people will ease off having achieved one goal. Cahill, England captain earlier in the month and one of Chelsea’s most senior players, is frank enough to acknowledge the possibility.

‘Maybe in the first couple of games you think: “Well this is going to turn. This isn’t going to carry on, because we don’t do this.” It’s almost a kind of arrogance. But it’s easier to expect things to change than it is to make things change. We need to work to make it turn. We need to make it happen.’

Chelsea centre back Gary Cahill (right) looks crestfallen during their 2-1 defeat by West Ham on Saturday

Andy Carroll's 79th minute header secured the win for West Ham as they punished 10-man Chelsea

Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic could not stop Carroll's header as West Ham won the London derby

In the fall-out, no one has been spared — not captain John Terry, not player of the year Eden Hazard and not Cahill. Almost every hero from last season has found themselves out of the team. Cahill was l on the bench last weekend against Aston Villa, though he returned against Dynamo Kiev in midweek.

‘This season I don’t think there’s hardly anyone who has not been left out at some stage,’ he said. ‘I’ve not been treated differently to anyone else. I want to play every game. Of course, the times you do get left out, you have to respond in the right way. One minute I was captaining England and then missing the next game.’

Given that the board issued a statement backing Mourinho after his emotional plea for patience following the 3-1 defeat by Southampton, it is natural that the support of the dressing room for their manager is a constant theme. Cahill, like most of the players who speak publicly, is unequivocal.

‘It’s a natural thing for a club to do when there is a period of not so good results, to back the manager,’ he said. ‘Of course we back him. Of course all of the group is behind the manager.

‘But — and I mean this in the most respectful way — he doesn’t need to be backed by us. When you’ve achieved so much in the game and won as many titles — not just in this league — he doesn’t need our backing. That speaks for itself.’

Jose Mourinho was sent to the directors' box during Chelsea's 2-1 defeat by West Ham at Upton Park

Cahill (right) scored Chelsea's equaliser shortly after half-time with a close-range finish

Before losing to Porto in their first Champions League tie, Mourinho publicly questioned whether some players were giving their all. Public criticisms, private dressings down have often been the Mourinho way. Again, Cahill insists it isn’t a problem. ‘You have to respect the fact that he’s the manager and everyone has different personalities,’ he said.

‘There isn’t a right or a wrong way to do anything. It’s your style and the way you are and the way our manager has been has got him a lot of success. So, that’s the way he is and if feels he needs to criticise a few players and give a few kicks up the backside, it’s down to us to respond in the right way.

‘If it was me and I had all that success, why all of a sudden would I change something? That’s the way he does it and as players, we have to respect that.’

As a 29-year-old established professional with every possible club trophy to his name in England as well as the Champions and Europa League titles, Cahill can offer some perspective. He does, now at least, maintain a degree of stability amid the fluctuations.

Cahill (centre) insists he can take all the criticism and says he takes things with a pinch of salt these days

‘Football’s an over-reaction,’ he said. ‘It’s bizarre. You just take things with a pinch of salt, honestly. When a team has bad performances, you’ve got to go and buy so and so. When a player performs badly for a few games, he’s horrendous, he’s gone, you’ve got to sell him.

‘I think I’ve gone through the stage when you’re a young player growing up and maybe you’re frustrated. Now I can genuinely say I just take it all.

‘It’s an over-reaction, but let’s be fair, that’s why people are so intrigued by football, that’s why people want to buy papers because everything is an over-reaction. When things are high and everyone is bigging you up, don’t get carried away with that. And when things are low and everyone’s telling you you’re finished, don’t get carried away with that. Stay in this middle track and as a player you’ll be fine.’

Whatever the season throws at Cahill, you suspect ultimately he will be fine

The England defender says he supports Mourinho's style as it has brought him a lot off success in the past

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