It's a question asked sporadically in recent weeks by a handful of Chelsea supporters. But few have truly felt it worth answering; the scenario was simply incomprehensible. Yet after another weekend in which Graham Potter's side failed to secure victory, there are those more willing to engage, debate, and perhaps accept the seemingly impossible.
Could Chelsea be relegated from the Premier League?
The reflex answer is no; that is learned behaviour. Chelsea don't do relegation battles. They do top-four pursuits, the odd title charge, and trophies aplenty. Still, the club's current reality can't be brushed aside. After 24 matches of the current campaign, the Blues are 10th in the table and only 10 points clear of the drop zone.
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Recent form leaves little room for optimism. Across their previous 14 top-flight matches, Chelsea have taken just 12 points. Only three clubs (Everton, Southampton and Bournemouth) have secured fewer in that period – and they have each scored more goals than the Blues' meagre seven.
"We’re in a really tough moment and I feel for the players," Potter said in the aftermath of the defeat to Tottenham on Sunday. "They need support as well because they are hurting. I know and can feel it, they want results to get better."
Chelsea and Potter are past that point, however. They need results to improve – and instantly if Potter is to remain in charge of the club long-term. Can that be achieved? There's little recent evidence.
What Chelsea have in their favour is that their next four Premier League matches are against clubs currently in the bottom half of the table: Leeds United, Leicester City, Everton, and Aston Villa. The Blues claimed nine points from the corresponding fixtures, although three of the sides have since changed their head coach.
Beyond that – at least on paper – things get trickier. The final 10 fixtures of the campaign will see Chelsea in action against seven teams currently in the top half. They include Liverpool's visit to Stamford Bridge and away games against Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City.
So far this term, Chelsea have played 11 matches against top-half sides. Not one of those games have been won and only five points have been taken. It is a dismal record.
But back to the original question: could Chelsea be relegated? It remains unlikely. They have 31 points on the board – 10 of which were claimed in six matches under Thomas Tuchel – and a number of clubs between them and the drop zone.
The form isn't anywhere good enough but only a handful of points are needed to reach the magic 40. But the fact such conversations are taking place among supporters is reason enough for alarm – and Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali will be taking notice.
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