Chelsea vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv: Jose Mourinho's Key Quotes from Pre-Match Presser

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at claims that his job might be under threat ahead of the Blues' first UEFA Champions League group game of the season against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

The Premier League champions have made an awful start to the new season, losing three of their opening five games.

A comfortable win over Maccabi would be most welcome—especially as Wednesday represents arguably their easiest fixture in a group including Porto and Dynamo Kyiv—and Mourinho was in a feisty mood as he faced the media on Tuesday.

"I am the current champion of England. Why should I be in trouble? Why? You can't answer that," he said, per BBC Sport's Ben Smith. "We know what we are—champions of England. I am not happy, I am not used to losing so many times. I am not adapting to losing, I am adapting to the situation."

Mourinho conceded that his players were unhappy with the situation but suggested that was normal considering the results.

He gave short shrift to the idea that there were serious problems within the side, though, per football writer Miguel Delaney:

The Portuguese also rejected the notion that he has historically struggled in his third season at his previous clubs:

Mourinho is under extreme pressure to start the European campaign strongly following the 3-1 collapse at Everton's hands this past Saturday.

After some dodging in regards to having played a third season at just two of his previous clubs—Chelsea and Real Madrid—the tactician was more open to the notion of "building a dynasty" at Stamford Bridge:

Switching focus to the game at hand, Chelsea must pick up three points on Wednesday if they are to begin to turn things around. It is vital in the Champions League to finish at the top of the group, and home victories over the likes of Maccabi are essential in achieving that.

Mourinho said he was planning to make a few changes to the side that lost at Goodison Park on Saturday, per Chelsea:

One of the potential casualties for Wednesday's match could well be Cesc Fabregas. His form so far this season has been dire, as his stats from the Everton clash illustrate, per Squawka Football:

In terms of absentees through injury, Radamel Falcao is out, but Oscar and new left-back Baba Rahman are available, per Charlie Eccleshare in the Telegraph.

Mourinho and his Chelsea side undoubtedly have the pedigree to turn their current plight around, but they have rarely—if ever—looked so out of form.

A convincing win against the Israeli outfit could provide the Blues with the momentum to kick on and improve.

But a defeat or a draw would send them further into a tailspin, and the whispering doubts over Mourinho's future at Chelsea would only get louder.