Jose Mourinho Talks Branislav Ivanovic, Pressure and More in Chelsea Presser

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho defended out-of-form defender Branislav Ivanovic ahead of the Blues' Saturday clash with Southampton in the Premier League.

However, the Portuguese manager admitted Ivanovic needs to improve after his poor performances early in the 2015-16 campaign, per the Mirror's Alex Richards: "This is something I speak with Ivanovic. And Ivanovic likes to speak with me. And he likes to speak with me about his mistakes. He is not a prima donna like in some newspapers, you cannot be criticised. I have no doubts that he is my best right-back. And I have no doubts that he needs to improve."

The Serbian international has been surprisingly poor so far this term and many have been calling for him to be dropped from the staring XI, per BBC World Service's Farayi Mungazi:

Ivanovic is hardly the only player who has been under-performing for the defending champions and the Blues currently lie 14th in the Premier League after a miserable start to the season.

Mourinho admitted he doesn't like the pressure Chelsea are currently under, saying he preferred the pressure of a tight title challenge, per Richards.

He even went as far to suggest his side's current poor spell represents the worst stage of his career, per ESPN FC:

Last time out in the league Chelsea managed to salvage a point with two late goals in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.

However, they went down 2-1 to Mourinho's former club Porto midweek in the Champions League.

Saints pose a big threat to the Blues this weekend at Stamford Bridge and Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell is not backing Chelsea to win:

However, Mourinho's confidence is still sky high and he backed his side to beat any team they play, per Richards: "I keep thinking the same that I told you before the Arsenal game. I think we can win every game. It's my feeling. We are capable as a team to win against anyone. Champions League. Premier League. We are capable of doing that.”

The Blues manager will have a full squad available to him for Saturday's game except the injured Thibaut Courtois in goal, per Chelsea:

In Courtois' long-term absence, Mourinho suggested the Blues may sign free agent Marco Amelia as further back-up to Asmir Begovic and said the Italian has been working with Chelsea recently, per Richards.

Chelsea are in a precarious position in the league this season and are already eight points back from league leaders Manchester United.

Failure to win against Southampton this weekend and the Blues will move even further away from a miraculous title victory in 2015-16 and may even be in danger of missing out on the top four.