As the final whistle blew around the four Premier League grounds yesterday, the league table became a hard sight for Chelsea. Graham Potter's side find themselves 10th after Fulham defeated Leicester City and Brighton thrashed Everton on Tuesday night.
On-field matters have been a consistent problem for the Blues this season. Sunday's 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest perfectly summed-up Chelsea's issues with a lack of cutting edge across all areas of the pitch.
The January transfer window presents an opportunity for Todd Boehly to continue his spending in west London with his short-term and long-term planning required to help provide Potter with all the tools to achieve a top-four finish.
READ MORE: Todd Boehly can shut Graeme Souness up with ideal transfer after Badiashile and Fernandez deals
Chelsea have come into the winter window with a new-look recruitment team having acquired the likes of Christopher Vivell (technical director), Kyle Macaulay (recruitment), Joe Shields (director of recruitment) and Paul Winstanley (director of global talent and transfers). The backroom staff have acted quickly with two new arrivals lined up already.
Striker David Datro Fofana signed from Molde on January 1 and defender Benoit Badiashile has agreed personal terms over a £33.6million move. There is also big expectation that Chelsea will successfully strike a deal with Benfica for Argentina midfield star Enzo Fernandez.
With heavy investment comes strong risk of criticism. Boehly backed Thomas Tuchel in the summer and spent close to £300m on the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana, only to sack the German not long afterwards.
Boehly's actions in the summer faced severe questioning from pundits, including Manchester United legend Gary Neville. The Sky Sports pundit compared Chelsea's spending to the video-game Football Manager after relieving Bruce Buck, Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia of their duties.
The signings made in the summer have failed to provide the success expected of them. The poor transfer strategy and lack of planning has been problematic, while Chelsea's season has been hampered with injury issues to key players such as Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
Potter is now at the helm and has struggled to replicate the success he produced at Brighton & Hove Albion. The goal of finishing in the Champions League places seems a distant dream, with fourth-placed Manchester United 10 points ahead of their rivals.
Neville hasn’t stopped sharing his feelings on Chelsea and was on hand to label the club's proceedings as "chaotic" following Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Newcastle United on Tuesday night.
He told Sky Sports: "The ownership’s not settled at Chelsea, it’s chaotic. Has been from minute one."
READ NEXT:
Koulibaly replaced, Ziyech steps up – Three Chelsea changes Graham Potter must make vs Man City
Chelsea agree £33.6m Benoit Badiashile transfer amid London medical as personal terms agreed
Chelsea have chance to repeat Reece James and Mason Mount trick with Vincent Kompany's approval
Declan Rice signs, Champions League failure, Graham Potter worry - Chelsea 2023 predictions
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
