Jamie Carragher has claimed that it would not be the "end of the world" for Chelsea if they headed into the international break three points off the top of the Premier League table.

Antonio Conte's side were stunned as they began the defence of their title on Saturday with a 3-2 defeat to Burnley at Stamford Bridge.

Not only did they lose the game, they had both Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas sent off, meaning that the pair will miss this weekend's clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.

Carragher believes that if the Blues pick up a point against their London rivals and then a full bag when they face Everton the following weekend, they can avoid a disaster.

"Next week is at Tottenham, the mentality for Chelsea next week is go there, don't get beat, get your point," the former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports News.

"Everton at home the following week, try and get your three points. Go into the international break with four points. You'll maybe be three points off the top, not the end of the world and sort of stop this tidal wave of negativity as we saw with Costa today in the press, we have seen Conte, the way he is speaking to the press you know something is not right with him and the board.

"I think that has got to stop and just remember it is one game, a bad defeat but get your head back on and as Conte said, we don't want another Jose [Mourinho] season. Well that's the way to try and fix it."

Chelsea won the league crown by seven points last season.

Written by
Danielle Joynson