4 reasons why Mourinho has survived the axe at Chelsea... so far

1. Past glories

Jose Mourinho

IMAGE: Jose Mourinho pleading with his players to pounce on the ball! Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters

The heat in the Chelsea kitchen is rising once again and it could become too suffocating for Jose Mourinho to continue if his team go out of the Champions League this week.

But former Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins believes that current manager Mourinho is still surviving in the club because of his past glories.

Wilkins, however, said that losing the upcoming match against Porto in the Champions League could bring Mourinho's career to an end.

According to Wilkins, Chelsea have lost their sense of invincibility under the current manager, the Mirror reported.

2. Poor form

Eden Hazard

IMAGE: Tottenham Hotspur's Kyle Walker (left) clears the ball past Chelsea's Eden Hazard. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Mourinho has tried every trick in the book in a bid to cajole an improvement from his squad, even briefly leaving out talisman John Terry and Eden Hazard, without any lasting effect.

Midfield linchpin Nemanja Matic summed up the immediate task facing his team mates and the coaching staff.

"We are in a difficult moment and it is going to be hard to come back from this but we have to try to resolve this situation," the Serbian international told Chelsea TV.

Echoing similar concerns, former England boss Kevin Keegan said that Chelsea have lost their form to get back into the top four again.

Chelsea have been struggling with the poor form in the Premier League and are currently just two points above the relegation zone in standings.

In the Champions League, Chelsea are second spot in Group G and will have to win their upcoming match against top-placed Porto in order to guarantee their place in knockouts.

3. Out of favour

Diego Costa of Chelsea

IMAGE: Diego Costa of Chelsea shows his frustration during the English Premier League match against Bournemouth. Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images

Diego Costa is a shadow of the player who tormented defences 12 months ago and fellow striker Loic Remy seems to be totally out of favour with Mourinho.

Chelsea's gamble to sign Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco, following the Colombian's poor season at Manchester United, has also backfired spectacularly.

4. Not scoring enough goals

Diego Costa of Chelsea

IMAGE: Chelsea's players look dejected. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

"We are not scoring enough goals," said Mourinho. "It's difficult for us to score goals.

"Scoring goals is a lot about individuals. The creation is collective but the finishing is something very individual and at this moment we're not having that."