Weakness is not a term that has been associated with Chelsea, or any team managed by Jose Mourinho, too often.
However, this season the Blues have struggled in a number of areas, which is why they find themselves sitting in the bottom half of the table, rather than their usual position in the top four and challenging for the title.
For whatever reason – perhaps the ‘lack of confidence and self-esteem’ alluded to by Mourinho last weekend, or fatigue following three long seasons of domestic, European and international competition –Chelsea have had problems preventing their opponents from creating chances and regularly opening up their back four.
Last season, Mourinho’s side conceded just 32 goals in 38 league matches on their way to winning the Barclays Premier League title, but this term they have already let in 17 goals in just nine games.
Statistics do not normally lie, and it goes without saying that Chelsea are an easier proposition to get at than they were this time a year ago.
When they do get it right, Chelsea still have an outstanding squad of players, with top-class internationals all over the pitch.
Mourinho wants his team to play a short passing, possession-based, aggressive, attacking football in the opposition half, controlling the game and not allowing their opponents the opportunity to dominate.
With averages of 55 per cent possession and 82 per cent pass completion, the suggestion is that Chelsea are not in complete disarray, while their average of 14.9 shots per game is actually marginally up on the 2014/15 campaign.
The problems the Blues are experiencing are clearly at the defensive end, where they are allowing a barely believable 13.3 shots on their own goal per game. Last season, that figure was just 10.9.
After selecting a consistent back four of Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill and Azpilicueta ahead of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois last season, Mourinho has chopped and changed his defence regularly this season in search of a winning formula.
Courtois’ injury problems have seen Asmir Begovic replace him between the sticks, while Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic have all struggled to show their very best form on a consistent basis.
A week ago, Ivanovic too was injured and Azpilicueta moved to right-back, with untested Ghanaian Baba Rahman brought in for his Premier League debut at left-back. Kurt Zouma partnered Terry in the centre of defence, with recent England captain Cahill dropped to the bench.
With Nemanja Matic restored from the bench at half-time in place of youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Chelsea finally found some semblance of rhythm in the second half of their win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
Central to that improved showing was the return of striker Diego Costa, who led the line with aggression and fight – characteristics valued highly by his manager.
In between is arguably Chelsea’s strongest suit – their midfield. Spaniards Cesc Fabregas and Pedro, Belgian Eden Hazard and Brazilians Oscar, Ramires and Willian are all supremely talented players, so it is somewhat puzzling that they have not clicked more regularly this term.
However, when you consider that many of those mentioned have been playing non-stop for club and country for years on end, maybe the demands of being some of the best on the planet have, for the moment, caught up with them?
Formation-wise, Chelsea WILL line up in the 4-2-3-1 shape that Mourinho has favoured with Chelsea and previous club Real Madrid for many seasons. Which players will be picked to fill it is less certain.
Possible team: (4-2-3-1) Begovic, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Terry, Rahman, Matic, Fabregas, Ramires, Willian, Pedro, Costa