Chelsea must cut out costly errors, insists Cesar Azpilicueta

Cesar Azpilicueta says Chelsea must cut out costly mistakes if they want to climb back up the Premier League table.

The defending champions sit 14th in the league after picking up just eight points from their first seven games of the season.

Jose Mourinho's men followed up last Saturday's draw at Newcastle - a game where they trailed 2-0 after 60 minutes - with a 2-1 Champions League defeat in Porto and the manager criticised his players for two 'ridiculous' defensive errors which led to goals.

And Azpilicueta has called on his side to cut out the errors, starting in the Saturday Night Football clash against Southampton.

He told Sky Sports: "We can see how difficult the Premier League is. Last year what we did was amazing but now it's a new season and we can feel that in every game every team fights hard for points.

"It's difficult to win and we have to be focused in our job. We have to keep doing the things we do well and avoid mistakes."

"When you concede goals sometimes the other team do a good job but sometimes we make mistakes," he added.

"We have to avoid this because every time we make a small mistake we are being punished. Last year maybe the ball was hitting the post. It's not a time for hiding. We have to know what we are doing well and what we are doing wrong.

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"We are doing things well so we have to keep our focus."

John Terry, who started all but five games for Chelsea in all competitions last term, has failed to feature in the Blues' last three matches, with Mourinho preferring Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma at the heart of his defence.

However, Azipilcueta, who has been an ever-present for Chelsea so far this season, has praised Terry for the example he has been setting around the club despite not being picked.

The Spain international said: "JT is a massive player for us. He is the captain and even when he is not playing he shows support and sets the example for everybody.

"The manager makes the decisions and everybody in the squad wants to play but I think what he is showing in training is what a captain needs. Everybody will learn from him."

Watch Chelsea v Southampton on Saturday Night Football from 5pm on Sky Sports 1.