Chelsea want to recall Michael Hector from his loan in January, claims Reading chief

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Jose Mourinho is considering bringing loanee Michael Hector into his Chelsea squad in January in a bid to fix the problems that have plagued the champions' defence this season.

Hector signed on deadline day in September in a £4.5million move from Reading but was immediately loaned back to the Championship club for the remainder of the season.

But after keeping just five clean sheets in all competitions this campaign, Chelsea are said to be looking to draft the 23-year-old into their squad in January.

Michael Hector could be on his way back to Chelsea in January if a Reading executive is to be believed

Jose Mourinho is on the look-out for reinforcements in defence after a difficult start to the season at Chelsea

Reading executive Samrit Thanakanchanasut claims that Chelsea want Hector to make the step up to the Barclays Premier League earlier than originally planned.

The Blues trumped Crystal Palace to sign the classy centre back in September and he has gone on to make 16 appearances for Steve Clarke's Royals this season.

Thanakanchanasut told Goal: 'Chelsea want him back early but I think we'll retain him as we agreed until the end of the season.

After missing out on Everton youngster John Stones in the summer, Hector and Papy Djilobodji signed for Chelsea late on in the window and while the latter stayed at Stamford Bridge, he has failed to make an impact on the first team.

Djilobodji, a £3m purchase, has played just one minute since his move - in the dying stages of the Capital One Cup victory at Walsall in September.

Besiktas are eyeing up a loan for the Senegalese centre back in January and his place in the squad - although he has been excluded from the Champions League selection - could be taken by Hector.

Hector signed in a £4.5million deal on transfer deadline day but was immediately loaned back to Reading

John Terry and his fellow defenders have not been at their best as Chelsea's title defences fell apart

In his pre-match press conference before Saturday's 1-0 win over Norwich City, Mourinho said he had 'no right' to make January additions after his side's shocking start to the season.

 'I would be more than happy to be myself and the squad that I have now. I am happy with my players, I trust the players,' Mourinho said.

 'Our performance during the season in the Premier League is not good enough.

'If I ask for players, or if the club gives me a handful of players, it's like taking the responsibility (away from) us and saying we need extra to reach our objectives.

Papy Djilobodji was also signed late in the window but he stayed at Chelsea and has played just one minute

'I want to have the responsibility in my hands, I want the players to have the responsibility.

'I want the players to feel that I trust them and that I don't need other players to reach the objectives.'

Captain John Terry has struggled to replicate his high standards of performance for last season and Mourinho has not decided on a regular partner for him from Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill.

Right back Branislav Ivanovic has been injured and out of sorts and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is sidelined until next month with a serious knee injury.