The Blues visit Championship leaders Tottenham before facing four of last season’s top six teams in a desperate search for form and points.
After Chelsea host Blackburn in the Carabao Cup, they face a tough run of games that could test their patience with Mauricio Pochettino.
There is no sign that Pochettino is under pressure despite the Blues languishing in the bottom half of the table after a disappointing start to the season.
But there is no doubt that the Argentine is 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 matches and Pochettino must address some of the key issues plaguing his side.
Here, Standard Sport assesses the issues that need to be addressed.
Goal problem
The lack of goals continues to torment Chelsea and is their biggest problem.
The Blues have spent hundreds of millions of pounds on attack but still lack a regular scorer.
Nicolas Jackson has scored just three goals in 11 games and looks increasingly less confident.
Raheem Sterling, Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk have shown quality but Chelsea continue to underperform in terms of expected goals (XG).
Chelsea hope Christopher Nkunku will help transform their attack when he returns from injury following the international break.
Pochettino has planned to build his front line around his £52m summer signing and his availability could be the key to the Blues’ dismissal.
Reece James Fitness
There is no doubt that James is one of the best right-backs in the world when he is fully fit.
The Chelsea captain has made two appearances from the bench after two months out due to a hamstring injury and is aiming to return to the starting lineup soon.
Pochettino believes his strict training methods will help James overcome hamstring problems, which have kept him out of almost 50% of his matches since his breakthrough.
James excels in both defense and attack and could make a difference in Pochettino’s flexible 4-2-3-1 formation.
His ability to play on both flanks could allow Pochettino to make even more tactical adjustments during the game.
James also has an eye for goal and adding to his crossing ability, can help unlucky goals.
Counter-attacking
hole Chelsea have conceded breakthrough goals in defeats to West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Brentford this season.
Pochettino’s possession style of play was expected to help control the game, but his ineffectiveness in front of goal left them vulnerable.
The opposing team set up with a low position and counter-attacked.
Chelsea continued to reap great success.
Pochettino wants his team to be more like Manchester City by committing more tactical errors and making timely defensive interventions.
Finding the right balance between defense and offense is important.
Facing adversity
Pochettino laments how Chelsea will collapse if things don’t go as planned.
Asked if his team’s mood had changed after Brentford’s opening game on Saturday, Pochettino replied: “I think it changed before.
” He said more: “You have to be calm as a character and say, ‘Hey, let’s play the way we should play.
‘ That takes maturity.
Lack of experience
in the team may have been a factor in their downfall in the second half, where they often deviated from their structure and went rogue.
Desperation leads to more long-range shots and deep crosses, which are dealt with comfortably by opponents.
Home Discomforts Pochettino has so far not found a solution to his poor form at Stamford Bridge.
Luton are the only team Chelsea have beaten in 13 Premier League home matches since last season.
Pochettino admits his players have lost the ‘trust’ of fans, who demand better from a team worth more than £1 billion.
He is trying to stop the spiral of poor performance that creates a warm atmosphere.
His attacking and energetic style may help rebuild the connection with the fans, but he knows that Chelsea’s aim is to win.
If you don’t start doing this more often, Chelsea may soon feel uncomfortable.
