Chelsea’s draw with Bournemouth this week means that the Blues are now five games without a win in the Premier League. Their “title challenge” lasted 90 minutes. That 0-0 draw against Everton back in December was the team’s chance to go top for the first time this season. Instead of taking that chance, they drew the game and haven’t won a league game since.

They’re still well ahead of schedule, but there’s no doubt that the blip has become a slump, and the slump is now threatening to become something more severe. The strong start to the season had this team far ahead of where we expected them to be. Now they’re roughly where we expected. Fall any further, and they will fall into a zone of disappointment.

The title race was never realistic; it was just nice to know that being in the mix meant we were doing better than expected. The real challenge was always making the top 4, and starting the year so strong made it feel like that was becoming a foregone conclusion.

A glance at betting sites UK, reveals just how competitive the race for top positions has become. Newcastle’s impressive form means they could leapfrog Chelsea with a win tonight. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest continues to defy expectations; while Chelsea failed to capitalize on their dominant first half against Bournemouth, the Tricky Trees showcased their grit by holding league leaders Liverpool to a draw.

Manchester City seem to be finding some form again and are set to spend heavily in the last two weeks of the transfer window to get back to their best. As we saw last night, Bournemouth are not going anywhere, and below them Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton, and Fulham are all capable of beating anyone. Tottenham are down in 13th, but also will be hoping for a major improvement in the second half of this season. Manchester United, a place behind them, could click into gear with Ruben Amorim at any moment.

So Chelsea can’t waste any more time. That is quite the logjam of teams creeping up behind them, and every week they fail to win gives the chasing pack another chance to drag themselves closer. Forget the title talk; this is about making the top 4. Chelsea are 14th in terms of form over the last six weeks. That has to change, and fast.

What Needs to Change for Chelsea?

The current slump is not just about bad luck or tough fixtures—there are deeper issues that need addressing. A key concern is Chelsea’s inability to convert dominance into goals. Despite creating opportunities against Bournemouth, the finishing lacked precision and composure. This recurring problem underscores the need for a clinical striker or better offensive coordination.

Moreover, the midfield has struggled to maintain control in crucial moments. Enzo Fernández has shown flashes of brilliance, but the lack of support from others has made Chelsea vulnerable to counterattacks. Bringing in reinforcements during the transfer window could help address this imbalance, particularly in securing a strong defensive midfielder to shield the backline.

Tactically, Mauricio Pochettino needs to experiment with line-ups that better utilize the team’s strengths. The current system has shown promise but lacks adaptability when the team is chasing a game. Integrating younger players like Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke more consistently could inject freshness and unpredictability into the squad.

Off the pitch, mental resilience is crucial. The weight of expectations can be crushing, especially for a team rebuilding its identity. Addressing psychological aspects through team-building exercises or sports psychology sessions might help the players regain confidence.

The next fixtures will be pivotal. With matches against lower-ranked teams on the horizon, Chelsea have the opportunity to rebuild momentum. Securing three points in the upcoming games isn’t just desirable; it’s necessary to stay in contention for Champions League qualification. The Blues must rediscover their winning mentality before the gap to the top 4 becomes insurmountable.