Chelsea face consequences of risky transfer policy as crisis of form sinks to a new low

Chelsea slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa - (Getty Images)

This was a game played in February but decided in January. It could well have major consequences come May.

At the turn of the year, even having wobbled briefly either side of Christmas, Chelsea were in the box-seat in the race for the Champions League. They were complacent, though, declining to strengthen even as results continued to slide during the transfer window and, more pertinently, allowing too many squad players out of the door.