Chelsea is a 'banter free zone' ahead of Champions League tie with Maccabi Tel Aviv

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and his side have have been preparing for their Champions League tie

CHELSEA was last night a 'banter free zone' as the laughing and joking ceased at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho's men were back in training yesterday preparing for their opening Champions League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv tomorrow.

Chelsea crashed 3-1 at Everton on Saturday and have won only one of their opening five league games in their worst start in 29 years.

 

But a club source said: "There are some unhappy players around the place. No jokes or banter."

But the under pressure Mourinho has told his players not to panic - and sources last night insisted there had been no crisis meetings.

Mourinho is expected to make changes against the Israeli team, with Brazilian midfielder Oscar in line for a recall, and new Ghanian defender Baba Rahman set to be given a chance.

 

The Chelsea boss could take the opportunity to rest some players, with Branislav Ivanovic and Cesc Fabregas struggling for form.

But Maccabi manager Slavisa Jokanovic, whoi had two years at Chelsea between 2000 and 2002, last night insisted his team were intent on inflicting more pain on the Chelsea manager.

Jokanovic said: "My interests are now with a different side and I will try to hurt them more and damage them in this moment. I am trying to push myself, I am concentrating on this game and looking to demonstrate what I can do for Maccabi. 

'We are not arriving as tourists and coming for a shopping trip in London. We are going to fight and try and cause another surprise.' 

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv hopes to inflict more pain on the Chelsea boss at Stamford Bridge

 

Jokanovic came in for criticism during his short spell at the current Premier League champions and admits they were not his happiest years as a player.

'It's true the fans were harsh with me, but I understood it. The club wanted to be in the Champions League but in my time there we only played in the Uefa Cup. But I always tried to give 100 per cent.'

Jokanovic though has no doubt the Portuguese is the best man to be sat in the Blues hotseat.

'I believe Mourinho is the right man for Chelsea,” he said. 'He has demonstrated this many times there and at other clubs too. It is a hard situation for them at the moment but he has the quality to change this bad start.'