No matter what the motives are behind owner Roman Abramovich’s decision to put on hold the rebuilding of Stamford Bridge, the timing could not be much worse for Chelsea.

The club’s summer has already started shrouded in uncertainty over which manager will be in charge next term, as well as who will come and go on the player front.

But the mere threat that the stadium will not be redeveloped into a 60,000 all-seater adds to the impression that this is a club lacking direction when they need it the most.

This was always going to be a hugely important close season for the Blues after finishing outside of the top four for the second time in three years.

No Champions League football is a hindrance in the market, which has been opened for two weeks, and there is no hint of a new arrival in sight.

With the World Cup grabbing the spotlight for a month and the transfer window closing earlier, on August 9, clubs need to be in a position to act sooner rather than later.

Cesar Azpilicueta told Standard Sport earlier this week that Chelsea’s trophy record will make them an attractive proposition - and he is right - but the very best players are also enticed by teams that are built on solid foundations and are on an upward trajectory. That cannot be said about Chelsea at present, particularly compared to their domestic rivals.

When Abramovich took over in 2003, Chelsea were the new kids on the block, with a real sense of excitement buzzing around them.

That was still the case to a degree when they won their fifth Premier League crown in 2017. However, their reputation is increasingly becoming one of protracted negotiations and adhering to a stricter budget.

The hesitation to pay Maurizio Sarri’s £7million release clause at Napoli is more evidence of that, plus the reluctance to give current manager Antonio Conte compensation should they dismiss him, as expected.

Chelsea used to be criticised for throwing money away frivolously in such circumstances, but inaction is arguably more costly.

Manchester City succeeded them as champions in emphatic fashion this year, finishing a massive 30 points ahead of them.

City do not have any stadium issues to worry about, coach Pep Guardiola has signed a new contract and funds for new acquisitions have been replenished. In a straight fight between the two over a transfer, who would you choose?

In Pictures | Chelsea celebrate FA Cup Final win | 19/05/2018 32 show all In Pictures | Chelsea celebrate FA Cup Final win | 19/05/2018 1/32 Getty Images 2/32 Getty Images 3/32 Getty Images 4/32 Getty Images 5/32 AFP/Getty Images 6/32 Getty Images 7/32 AFP/Getty Images 8/32 AFP/Getty Images 9/32 Getty Images 10/32 AFP/Getty Images 11/32 AFP/Getty Images 12/32 AFP/Getty Images 13/32 Getty Images 14/32 Getty Images 15/32 AFP/Getty Images 16/32 Getty Images 17/32 AFP/Getty Images 18/32 AFP/Getty Images 19/32 AFP/Getty Images 20/32 Getty Images 21/32 Getty Images 22/32 Getty Images 23/32 Getty Images 24/32 AFP/Getty Images 25/32 Getty Images 26/32 Getty Images 27/32 Getty Images 28/32 Getty Images 29/32 Getty Images 30/32 Getty Images 31/32 Getty Images 32/32 Getty Images 1/32 Getty Images 2/32 Getty Images 3/32 Getty Images 4/32 Getty Images 5/32 AFP/Getty Images 6/32 Getty Images 7/32 AFP/Getty Images 8/32 AFP/Getty Images 9/32 Getty Images 10/32 AFP/Getty Images 11/32 AFP/Getty Images 12/32 AFP/Getty Images 13/32 Getty Images 14/32 Getty Images 15/32 AFP/Getty Images 16/32 Getty Images 17/32 AFP/Getty Images 18/32 AFP/Getty Images 19/32 AFP/Getty Images 20/32 Getty Images 21/32 Getty Images 22/32 Getty Images 23/32 Getty Images 24/32 AFP/Getty Images 25/32 Getty Images 26/32 Getty Images 27/32 Getty Images 28/32 Getty Images 29/32 Getty Images 30/32 Getty Images 31/32 Getty Images 32/32 Getty Images

Chelsea were the only other Premier League side to win a major trophy last season - the FA Cup last month - but the rest of the top six are arguably set up to be in a stronger position.

Runners-up Manchester United, Champions League finalists Liverpool and Arsenal have far bigger grounds to house fans. Tottenham will move into a new 62,062-seat home later this year. Spurs’s coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has just signed a new deal , which has not prevented him being installed as favourite to replace Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.

Arsenal will not have the distraction of the ‘Wenger Out’ committee now that Unai Emery has replaced him.

As Tim Rolls, former chairman of the Chelsea Supporters Trust, said: “Talk that rebuilding Stamford Bridge is on hold has just thrown everything up in the air.

“Everyone else has their stadiums in place and it will certainly have a knock-on effect in terms of any long-term planning.

“This could have an impact regarding the managerial situation. If you’re a top manager and been told the club are going to redevelop the ground and suddenly they’re not spending the money, you would ask, ‘Why are they doing that?’

“Would they suddenly stop and think, ‘Hang on a minute, things aren’t what they seem. Is there something behind this?’ This won’t help attract the real top talent either on the pitch or in the manager’s office.”

Prized assets Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois (above) made it pretty clear that their decision to sign new deals depends on the club’s ambition.

Both are now with the Belgium squad, preparing for the start of the World Cup this month, but news that the owner is having second thoughts about Stamford Bridge hardly sends out a positive message.

Chelsea maintain that Abramovich’s delay in renewing his investor’s visa does not compromise his commitment to the club or how they are run.

And yet, despite the reassurances, sections of the fanbase are worried about the consequences of Abramovich’s stand-off with the UK government.

David Chidgey, of the Chelsea Fancast, added: “There is a concern that Roman will sell-up. He has been a superb owner for Chelsea.

“It’s a very unnerving time. There is a fear that Chelsea are being left behind on the pitch, let alone off it.”

One source of optimism comes from a former Chelsea employee, Christian Purslow (below, right), who was Head of Global Commercial activities between 2014-17. Purslow was at the club when plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge were first drawn up and approved.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live, he said: “Over the many years this potential stadium has been in the offing, the cost has skyrocketed. The £1billion figure is now in the public domain - and it was around half that when it was originally conceived.

“It requires knocking every brick down and building on the same site. Asking Chelsea fans to travel somewhere else to see the team play, not as Spurs did for one year but for four, has been something that many people at the club have been concerned about. So, for two reasons - ballooning economics and difficult practicalities - I have thought for some time that it was a project that might never get off the ground. I actually think it’s a really sensible decision to put this project on hold.

“Many fans, when they think about it, will be pleased that: first, they’re not having to trek to a ground like Wembley for four years; and second, the focus will be on improving and investing in the team.”

Perhaps this is just a short-term blip while a political game that goes far beyond football is fought out, but Chelsea are the ones who could pay the price.