PL giant sits on a $1.8bn knife’s edge. ‘Naive’ temptation could trigger an unthinkable blow

Right now, Chelsea are closer to away days at Millwall and Plymouth Argyle than the blindingly bright lights of the Champions League.

It’s a scarcely believable reality given the exorbitant expenditure at the club, but it’s a fact: Chelsea are 12 points away from the relegation zone and 15 off the Champions League places.

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A 4-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Wolves ensured Chelsea dropped into the bottom half of the table and the mood amongst fans was palpable.

There were even chants clamouring for the return of Jose Mourinho, who was recently sacked by Serie A side Roma.

The wife of veteran Chelsea defender Thiago Silva, Belle, also joined the pile on and called for “change” in a social media post, before she later apologised for the “outburst.”

Victory over high-flying Aston Villa in the FA Cup has somewhat lifted the pressure from Pochettino, but it doesn’t take away from what’s been, to date, a nightmare season at the Bridge.

So, how have things got this bad at the Bridge and where do the Blues go from here?

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BLEAK REALITY BEHIND POCH’S TENURE … AND WHY HE MIGHT BE SAFE IN HIS ROLE

After 31 games in charge, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has overseen 14 wins, six draws and 11 losses, with the club sitting in 11th place on the Premier League ladder.

It’s a strikingly similar record to that of his predecessor, Graham Potter.

Potter won