The Portuguese has never lost seven games in a single league season as a manager but has tasted defeat six times already in 2015-16 to stand on the brink of another bad milestone.

It has been a tough start to the season for Jose Mourninho and Chelsea, compounded by successive defeats to West Ham and Liverpool in the Premier League.

The Blues face Stoke City on Saturday, having recently been knocked out of the League Cup by the Potters, and Mourinho will not be present on the bench, after being subject to disciplinary action from the Football Association.

And another defeat for the ailing Stamford Bridge club could bring about another unwanted record for the Portuguese manager.