The Blues have slipped into a concerning run of form, piling pressure on inexperienced head coach Liam Rosenior as their campaign threatens to unravel.
Currently sitting outside the Premier League’s top five, their most realistic route to salvaging the season may now lie in lifting the FA Cup.
Behind the scenes, though, it is believed there is increasing unease over the direction of travel.
Chelsea are already preparing for a degree of squad reshaping this summer, with players such as Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Liam Delap expected to be made available.
However, the greater concern is the potential loss of key figures. Real Madrid are known admirers of Enzo Fernandez, who has recently served a club-imposed suspension, while sources indicate that first-team regulars Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella are among those growing frustrated at Chelsea.
Recent results have done little to ease the tension as Chelsea have managed just one Premier League victory in the past two months, with their only recent wins coming against lower-league opposition, including Wrexham and Port Vale in cup competition.
Publicly, the club continue to back Rosenior, who signed a six-year deal upon replacing Enzo Maresca in January.
Privately, however, doubts are beginning to surface and there are indications Chelsea are already monitoring potential successors, with former midfielder Cesc Fabregas - currently managing Serie A side Como - among the names to come under consideration.
The situation is reaching a critical point ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with long-time rivals Manchester United, with fan protests against the ownership and sporting structure already planned.
Concerns now extend beyond results to the wider structure of the club and unless there is a swift turnaround before the end of the season, Chelsea could be forced into a managerial change coupled with a fight to retain their most high-profile players.
