Let's start with the numbers. After 22 Premier League matches this season, Chelsea sit 10th in the table. They are 10 points off fourth-place Newcastle United, who occupy the final Champions League qualifying position, and haven't won in three top-flight matches.
It's why tomorrow's visit of Southampton is an important one for Graham Potter and his players. The Saints are bottom of the table and without a head coach. They've also lost nine of their previous 10 Premier League matches. In years past, the game would be a gimme for Chelsea.
"I've said before there's no point thinking about four months away," said Potter at his pre-match press conference. "We're focused on the next match which is Southampton. As we know from earlier on in the season, any game you play in the Premier League, it's always complicated, it's always tough. So we have to be ready for that challenge. We play at home and try to take the three points."
