Wayne Rooney brands Chelsea's 4-1 defeat to Watford worst he's seen 'for a long, long time'

Chelsea still remain in the top four but are in danger of dropping out of the Champions League places

Pedro and Cesc Fabregas react to Chelsea's 4-1 defeat by Watford (Getty)

Wayne Rooney labelled Chelsea’s humiliating 4-1 defeat to Watford on Monday night as one of the worst he has seen “for a long, long time”.

Antonio Conte’s job was put under increased scrutiny after his side conceded three times in the final 10 minutes at Vicarage Road to leave the Blues 19 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.

The Italian has struggled with the Chelsea hierarchy in recent months over transfers and Rooney felt the off-field issues at Stamford Bridge are starting to have an impact on results.

“You’d like to think the problems with the board aren’t affecting players but that is not Chelsea,” Rooney said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. “That is as bad a Chelsea performance I’ve seen for a long, long time.

“Chelsea are usually a clever team, tough to beat, you have to take your chances against them and they manage the game well. But tonight Watford were getting through so easily.”