The first cracks in Chelsea team morale have appeared with defender Ricardo Carvalho hitting out at manager Jose Mourinho for dropping him ahead of Sunday's 1-0 win against Wigan.
Mourinho was praised for the way he was able to ensure harmony at Stamford Bridge last season, despite the influx of big name players - many of which had to settle for a place on the bench.
However with the new season barely underway, Carvalho has broke ranks to vent his frustrations after skipper John Terry and William Gallas were paired together at centre back for the season opener.
Carvalho - a £19.85million signing from Porto last July said: "I want to know why I didn't play. How can I explain when I don't understand it? Sincerely, I gave a lot of thought and time to myself but cannot find a valid explanation. It's totally incomprehensible."
"I don't understand why Mourinho said I have to wait for another opportunity to play this season. I don't understand the reason he put me in a group including Robert Huth, Joe Cole and Tiago."
"Sincerely, I don't understand why he told me what he told me. I don't believe I'm going to be third choice. The Premiership has begun and I will play many games, I have no doubt. It's incomprehensible that I will become third choice."
Carvalho's disillusionment at being grouped alongside Cole, Tiago and Huth will hardly boost his own popularity within the squad - not least because Cole and Tiago contributed fully to Chelsea's success last season.
