Every Chelsea fan was well aware that this year would be somewhat of a transitional period for the Blues, after a dismal display last season.
After finishing 10th last year, anything resembling European football at the end this season would have been a successful spell for the Chelsea – and so even the craziest supporters knew there would be some bumps along the road this season.
The first real bump came this past weekend, as Chelsea slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues being largely outclassed throughout the fixture by Jurgen Klopp’s men.
However, whilst many took it at face value; it appears that a somewhat more important member of the Blues setup did not…
According to latest reports, Chelsea are in a ‘crisis’ following the defeat against Liverpool, in what one Chelsea fan in the Tavern is calling the biggest over exaggeration since Di Matteo was sacked…
The Daily Express have revealed that Blues owner Roman Abramovich held crisis talks at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea officials after the Liverpool defeat, with the Russian owner concerned about the performance produced by the expensive side on show.
Now, whilst everyone certainly understands Abramovich’s concerns – still any talk of a ‘crisis’ is absolutely crazy.
Chelsea are just 5 points from the top, and Conte has steered the ship magnificently since his arrival in the Premier League.
Currently lying in 5th place, Chelsea are still in contention for a Champions League place this season – and Conte must be given time to prove his worth.
Surely Abramovich isn’t going to wield the axe yet?
Having taken a solitary point from their last two Premier League games, another defeat at Arsenal would only further undermine what had been a good start to the campaign.
The first step to avoiding such a scenario is to get the defence functioning as a unit. Conte’s decision as to who makes up that unit will be eagerly awaited on Saturday afternoon.
The 4-2 win over Leicester City in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night provided Chelsea with a much-needed return to winning ways after a frustrating 2-2 draw with Swansea and humbling 2-1 defeat at home to Liverpool.
The show of character to overhaul a two-goal deficit away at the Premier League champions, while creating more than three times the amount of chances than the home side, was hugely encouraging after serious questions were asked in the aftermath of the Liverpool reverse.
After his brace at the King Power Stadium, there has understandably been much talk of Cesc Fabregas’ possible return to the starting line-up for Saturday’s match against Arsenal.
While he has certainly given Antonio Conte plenty to think about in that regard, the manager will be more preoccupied with exactly who he is going to field in his defence.
At Leicester, inattention coupled with errant distribution, poor judgement and a total lack of communication across the back line undermined Chelsea’s efforts for the third game in a row.
It cost the Blues victory at Swansea, a draw against Liverpool and almost saw them eliminated from the EFL Cup. A repeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday is likely to see Chelsea return to west London empty-handed.