Cesc Fàbregas has followed John Terry’s lead by throwing his full support behind José Mourinho as the manager tries to revive Chelsea after the champions’ worst start to a season in 37 years.

Roman Abramovich had felt compelled to issue a public vote of confidence after watching Chelsea succumb to a fourth defeat in eight league games, at home to Southampton. Abramovich’s 57-word statement was released with the team 16th in the table, four points off the relegation zone, and with the manager having claimed he would consider resigning only if the players “don’t trust me”.

Terry was quick to stress that “if anyone is going to get us out of this hole it is going to be José Mourinho”, with Fàbregas following suit. The midfielder, who could win his 100th cap when Spain play Luxembourg on Friday and Ukraine on Monday, was asked about Chelsea’s predicament in an interview with Radio Marca. “He is the best coach in the history of the club and the best we can have,” said Fàbregas. “Personally, he [Mourinho] helped me in a very complicated moment of my career and he gives me confidence.

“I will do whatever he asks. In face-to-face situations he helps me a lot and I respect him for that. We [Chelsea] are not well, but we will do better. We have the best coach for the club. People have not forgotten that five months ago we won the Premier League and a cup, but we have to change the situation fast and soon.”

Chelsea return to league action at home to Aston Villa on 17 October and will welcome back Diego Costa from suspension. The striker has not been included in Vicente del Bosque’s squad for the final two Euro 2016 qualifiers – Spain are top of Group C and safely through to the finals in France – and, like Terry, is one of a handful of senior players training with Mourinho at Cobham over the break.