Just over three months ago, Chelsea were celebrating winning their second Premier League title after a 1-0 win over West Brom.
But that glorious night at The Hawthorns feels like a lifetime ago after the Blues’ embarrassment on the opening day of the 2017-18 season.
Antonio Conte’s side went down 3-2 at home to Burnley in a result that, although still very surprising, simply emphasised what has been an awkward summer for the reigning champions, especially in the transfer window.
Conte has brought in just three players who are expected to play a key role this season, Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata.
Meanwhile, Nemanja Matic, Dominic Solanke, Bertrand Traore, Nathan Ake and Nathaniel Chalobah were all allowed to leave on permanent deals, with four of those players signing for Premier League clubs.
Watching Matic run the show for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in their 4-0 win over West Ham must have pained every single Chelsea supporter.
The problems are piling up for Conte, who still has to resolve the case of Diego Costa.
The striker gave an explosive interview to the Daily Mail from his native Brazil in which he said Chelsea had treated him like a “criminal”.
Just how has Conte and owner Roman Abramovich allowed the situation to get so murky?
Chelsea are planning £120m spending spree
The odds on Conte being the first Premier League manager to be sacked have been slashed, but it would appear that Abramovich is ready to back the Italian before the transfer window shuts at the end of August.
According to the Mirror, the Blues are readying a £120 million splurge on three Premier League players - Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Southampton’s wantaway defender Virgil van Dijk and Leicester City midfielder Danny Drinkwater.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract at the Emirates Stadium expires next summer and he doesn’t appear close to putting pen to paper.
Not only is he young, but he would also boost Chelsea’s quota of home grown players.
Van Dijk has handed in a transfer request at Southampton after seeing a move to Liverpool blocked. Chelsea’s bid could be enough to convince the south coast club to sell.
The Blues have already had a £15m bid for Drinkwater rejected but are set to return with another offer with Conte short of midfield options.
The problem Chelsea will no doubt find is that neither Arsenal, Southampton or Leicester are eager to do business.