Chelsea Manager JOSE MOURINHO believes his past successes with the club are the reason why Owner ROMAN ABRAMOVICH will "continue to back him through the club's worst start to the season in more than a decade." Chelsea has lost eight top flight games already this term, which has left the club sitting in 14th place in the standings -- 14 points off fourth-placed ManU (London EVENING STANDARD, 12/8). ... British Olympic short track speed skater JON ELEY has retired, ruling out a bid for a fourth Winter Games. The 31-year-old, who was the Team GB flag bearer last year in Sochi, made his Olympic debut at Turin 2006 and twice won world relay Bronze Medals (BBC, 12/8). ... MICHAEL CHOPRA "has put his name in the frame" for the Scottish Championship side Alloa manager's job. The striker, who previously played for Newcastle, "is among the candidates" to replace DANNY LENNON, who resigned after seven straight defeats (STV, 12/8). ... Former Brasileiro side São Paulo player ROGERIO CENI, a World Cup winner with Brazil and scorer of 131 goals in official matches, "put an end to a glittering career after officially announcing his retirement on Sunday." Ceni, 42, made his São Paulo debut in '93 and went on to play more than 1,200 matches for the club -- "scoring at a rate of almost a goal every 10 games" over the course of his career (ESPN, 12/8).
