After Chelsea host Blackburn in the Carabao Cup, they face a daunting run of games that could test their patience with Mauricio Pochettino.
There is no indication that Pochettino is under pressure despite the Blues languishing in the bottom half of the table following a disappointing start to the season.
But there is no doubt the Argentine is coming under increased scrutiny ahead of his return to Tottenham on Monday.
Chelsea face Spurs, Manchester City, Newcastle, Brighton and Manchester United in their next five Premier League games and Pochettino needs to fix some of the key problems holding his team back.
Here, Standard Sport assesses the issues he needs to address.
Goalscoring problems
A lack of goals continues to hurt Chelsea and is their single biggest problem.
The Blues have spent hundreds of millions of pounds on their attack but still lack a regular goalscorer.
Nicolas Jackson has managed just three goals in 11 matches and looks increasingly short on confidence.
Raheem Sterling, Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk have shown glimpses of quality but Chelsea continue to underperform their expected goals (XG).
Chelsea hope Christopher Nkunku will help transform their attack when he returns from injury after the international break.
Pochettino planned to build his frontline around the £52million summer signing and his availability could be key to get the Blues firing.
Reece James’ fitness
There is no doubt James is one of the best right-backs in the world when he is in full flow.
The Chelsea captain has made two substitute appearances after two months out with a hamstring injury and is pushing to return to the starting XI soon.
Pochettino believes his rigorous training methods will help James get over his hamstring issues, which have caused him to be unavailable for almost 50 per cent of matches since he broke through.
James is exceptional in both defence and attack and can be a difference-maker in Pochettino’s fluid 4-2-3-1 formation.
His ability to do both sides of the game could allow Pochettino to make even more in-game tactical tweaks.
James also has an eye for goal and, added to his crossing ability, could help the goalscoring woes.
Counter-attack vulnerability
Chelsea have conceded breakaway goals in their defeats to West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Brentford this season.
Pochettino's possession-based style is supposed to help control matches but inefficiency in front of goal leaves them vulnerable.
Opposition teams who set up with a low block and to hit Chelsea on the counter continue to have great success.
Pochettino wants his team to be more like Manchester City by making more tactical fouls and timely defensive interventions.
Finding the right balance between defence and attack is key.
Dealing with adversity
Pochettino has bemoaned the way Chelsea heads drop if things are not going their way.
Asked if the mood in his team changed after Brentford opened the scoring on Saturday, Pochettino said: “I think it changed before…”
He added: “You have to be calm as a character and say, ‘Hey, let’s play the way we should play the game’. For that to happen, you need maturity.”
A lack of experience in the team could be a factor behind their second-half declines, when they often stray away from their structure and go rogue.
Desperation leads to more long shots and deep crosses, which rivals have dealt with comfortably.
Home discomforts
Pochettino has so far been unable to find a solution to poor form at Stamford Bridge.
Luton are the only team Chelsea have managed to beat in 13 Premier League home matches stretching back to last season.
Pochettino admits his players have lost the “trust” of supporters, who demand better from a squad worth more than £1billion.
He is trying to arrest a spiral of poor performances feeding into tepid atmospheres.
His high-energy, attacking style can help rebuild connection with supporters, but he knows Chelsea is about winning.
Fail to start doing that more often and the Chelsea hot seat might soon become uncomfortable.
