Chelsea captain Reece James has slammed his side's defensive frailties after a frustrating 2-2 draw with Qarabag in the Champions League. The Blues squandered their advantage against the Azerbaijani side at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, tumbling to 12th position in the standings.

Estevao Willian fired Chelsea into the lead within the first 15 minutes, yet the west London club's advantage proved short-lived. Leandro Andrade levelled matters for Qarabag on the half-hour mark, capitalising on a rebound within the penalty area. Moments before the interval, Marko Jankovic thrust Gurban Gurbanov's team into the ascendancy, converting from the penalty spot after the ball cannoned off Jorrel Hato's arm at close range.

Alejandro Garnacho clawed one back early in the second period, though Chelsea were unable to secure a winner.

Speaking to TNT Sports following the encounter, James offered a scathing verdict on his team's display.

"Disappointing to sum up," said the Blues captain. "Coming here, we wanted to win. We felt that we set up strong, but we made two errors that led to a penalty and a goal that we gifted them, and then to get back...