Throughout the Roman Abramovich era there have been almost as many crises at Chelsea as trophies, but the club’s current predicament is genuine cause for alarm.

At no other point since the Russian oligarch took over in 2003 have the Blues faced so many questions about the direction in which they are heading as right now.

Many sides would love to be in their position, regardless of the embarrassing aftermath of Sunday’s 6-0 thrashing at Manchester City. To sit one point off fourth place, be in the League Cup Final, the fifth round of the FA Cup and the last 32 of the Europa League is hardly a disaster.

But this is Chelsea and compared to the standards set in recent seasons, the club are falling well short. On current form, their challenge on all four fronts will be over sooner rather than later.

As in past difficult times, there is an assumption by some that by changing a beleaguered coach — in this case Maurizio Sarri — everything will go smoothly once again. But it is not going to be that simple.

The reality is that Chelsea are in danger of missing out on playing in the Champions League for a third time in four seasons. It demonstrates the downward trend is not just a blip, it is a reflection that they have been caught up by other Premier League outfits and left in their wake.

How has it all gone so wrong? After all, Chelsea won the Premier League in 2015 and 2017. Surely, those triumphs should have laid the foundations for further success?

It is not as if Chelsea were not warned. Their former manager, Jose Mourinho, predicted trouble ahead in an interview conducted shortly before his dismissal four years ago and only seven months after the Portuguese had led the Blues to the Premier League title.

“I think this is a crucial moment in the history of this club,” he said. “The message is that again, when there are bad results, the manager is guilty. This is the message that not just these players, the ones that also came before, got during a decade.

“I think this is a moment for everyone to assume responsibility. I assume my responsibilities, the players should assume their responsibilities. There are other people in the club that should also assume their responsibilities and we have to stick together.”

Mourinho seemed to be suggesting that those within the dressing room held too much sway in the fate of coaches and that the hierarchy did not provide enough support. Given Antonio Conte has gone and Sarri could follow, one might argue that the trend to which Mourinho was referring has continued, while there is no let-up on whoever is occupying the managerial hot-seat to deliver silverware.

Whoever is at the helm at Stamford Bridge, the quality of the first team has to be in debate. Not so long ago, you could argue that Chelsea and Manchester City would have pretty much equal representation in a ‘best XI’ made from the two squads.

Now, with N’Golo Kante not his usual consistent force in midfield, it would be fair to say that only Eden Hazard could walk straight into City’s line-up. Throw in the fact that the Belgian wants to join Real Madrid this summer and you have to wonder how Chelsea can fill the enormous gap he would leave next season.

Of Chelsea’s current regulars, five are over 30 — and captain Cesar Azpilicueta will make it six in August.

The team obviously needs rebuilding yet, even with all that experience to call on, they appear to be lacking leaders on the pitch.

Rebuilding, though, might not be an easy task. It is expected that Chelsea will be handed a transfer embargo lasting at least two windows by Fifa for breaking rules over the signing of foreign minors. An appeal would surely follow, but it still means Chelsea face the threat of having little chance of freshening up their squad.

It is not as if academy talent is guaranteed to be around to fill the void. Callum Hudson-Odoi is an example of a prodigy that has lost patience with a lack of first-team opportunities and is seeking a move elsewhere. One suspects he is not alone.

Excitement generated by plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge into a 60,000 all-seater has evaporated because Abramovich postponed the scheme last May.

The Russian billionaire has not been granted an investor visa and seemingly, as a consequence, is never seen at matches any more. That has sparked column inches over whether his interest in Chelsea is on the wane. The club have consistently insisted that rumours he is prepared to sell up are not true, yet the talk persists.

It is just another dish to add to the menu of uncertainty in SW6.