Conte not the architect of Chelsea's downfall

Chelsea fans will be thankful a horrifyingly painful January is over. A humbling 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge highlighted their troubles and they travel to Watford on Monday night in search of a win driven by the tension and pressure of recent results.

Despite his efforts from the touchline, a question mark seems to be hovering over Antonio Conte. Something which appeared unlikely back in June after lifting the Premier League trophy. His treatment of Diego Costa loomed large all summer, affecting Chelsea's sluggish transfer dealings and the Italian vented his frustrations repeatedly.

"We need time," he said st the beginning of the current season. "Four years? Yes, maybe. To arrive and try to fight for the Champions League, to try to fight to be the best in the world, you need time." He may not be granted such a commodity. Chelsea need continuity. They need to give a coach time to build something and that requires patience.

They are still the most successful club in England since the investment from Russia came in 2003, but they appear to be falling behind as their period of sustained success gradually draws to an end. The reality of the situation is that, despite the contributions from generous benefactor Roman Abramovich, Chelsea do not possess the financial muscle of Manchester City or the commercial success of Manchester United. The Blues cannot afford to compete in a market dominated by oil money-fuelled clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain.

Just like it happened in the summer, Chelsea have been outgunned in the January transfer market. Manchester City spent as much on Aymeric Laporte (£57.2 million) as Chelsea did on three players: Giroud (£18m), Emerson Palmieri (£17m) and Ross Barkley (£15m). The Blues will have to accept the fact that they will not be the major player they once were in the transfer market as they strive to retain their own stars. Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois are currently locked in ongoing contractual negotiations and have plenty of lucrative offers on the table.

Sections of the Stamford Bridge faithful have begun to call for Conte's head, as well as demanding the resignation of transfer business chief Marina Granovskaia. Chelsea fans have come to the realisation that their place at the summit of English football is well and truly in peril.