Under fire ex-Crystal Palace boss makes Chelsea admission and defends record after rocky start

Patrick Vieira has won just one of his last five games with his team sitting 11th on the league table and fans growing increasingly frustrated with performance on and off the field.

Fans of the club protested when Todd Boehly’s BlueCo took over the side as part of the global multi-club system and they continue to demand equal or at least similar to the resources Chelsea have had.

But Vieira who joined the club after his dismissal at Crystal Palace boss has urged the fans to trust in the long-term goal and support the team. L'Equipe quotes him: “Perhaps people outside don’t see the progression as quickly as they would like, but we can’t be blinded by the fact that we’re linked to Chelsea.

“You have to look at things globally with last season and next season as well. My team has lost players and some other key players were present in pre-season before ultimately leaving, when we had to hope of keeping them. 

“You need to give the recruits the time to flourish. I knew that when I came here. We are starting a new cycle and we are all in harmony about where we are today and where we want to go tomorrow. But I know that the most important thing in this business is results.”

In Vieira's absence in south London, the club have found form under Roy Hodgson and went into the international break sat 9th on the Premier League table and without a defeat in their last three games.