Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has explained to club critics that the Blues' struggles this season are part and parcel of the perplexing world of football.

The reigning Premier League champions have suffered an inexplicable drop in form this season and sit just one point above the relegation zone.

Cahill has attempted to deflect some of the negativity being directed at he and his teammates by suggesting that football does not always go as planned for the top teams.

"There are some great memories and I don't think we should forget the manner in which we won the Premier League, leading from the start, which was an unbelievable achievement for everyone at the club," he told Chelsea magazine.

"The flip side, as always with football, is that it's a game of two halves – and we've had a difficult period. Last season was fantastic, this season has been tough, but we're looking to turn that around. We're working hard to make things right.

"Not every single minute of your career will go well, individually and collectively, and not every season will go how you want it to, but it's how you react to that.A

"You're not a robot, you're not going to be nine out of 10 every game.

"But when things aren't going well, you work even harder and look for a reaction. I'm sure we'll turn it around."