Chelsea news: Jose Mourinho wanted to make 'six changes at half-time' during Newcastle match

Jose Mourinho has sent a new warning to Chelsea's underperforming stars, admitting he wanted to make six changes at half-time during the 2-2 draw at Newcastle. Mourinho has been vocal in his displeasure with some squad members this season, during a campaign that has seen them secure just eight Premier League points so far, and he may well rotate his squad for 29 September's Champions League clash with his old side Porto.

John Terry has lost his place in the starting XI, despite being an 'untouchable' last year during Chelsea's runs to both the Premier League and Capital One Cup titles. His dropping has not made the expected impact in a defence that has already conceded 14 goals this league season.

Kurt Zouma was forced into the spotlight in the match with the Magpies after one of his mistakes was seized upon by Ayoze Perez for the opener. Georginio Wijnaldum extended the Geordies' lead in the second-half, before late goals from Ramires and Willian saw the Blues rescue a point. Mourinho was left frustrated with the performance of some of his players during the first half of the game.

"I'm concerned. I'd like to make more changes than I did, but the ones I did were enough to improve the team and get us a point," he said as quoted by Chelsea'd official website. "I didn't make changes at half-time because I didn't know which substitutions to make – I wanted to make six. I was trying to understand what was best for the team so I decided to wait."

"If we play like we did in the second half we can win every match. But if we play like we did in the first half we can lose every match. I don't believe in both extremes. I don't believe we are always going to play like we did in the first half or like we did in the second half."

The Portuguese boss praised the reaction of the team in the second half, securing a point that leaves them eight behind leaders Manchester United.

"We started the fixture with an eight points difference to the top of the league and we finished it with an eight points difference and one match less away from home, in a stadium where it's always difficult for us."