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First the Blues lose 3-0 to Sheffield United on Saturday, then they discover fifth won’t be good enough to qualify for the Champions League after Man City’s ban was lifted on Monday.

With a little bit of help from Bournemouth, who beat Leicester 4-1 on Sunday, Chelsea still have control of their top-four destiny.

But they simply must beat already-relegated Norwich at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday – live on talkSPORT – ahead of serious tests against Liverpool and Wolves.

Ironically, it’s the lesser teams that Frank Lampard’s men have struggled against this season.

The Blues boss has overcome Liverpool and Man City in his debut campaign, but also suffered home defeats to lowly Bournemouth and West Ham.

It’s become a predictable story: dominate possession, fail to break the other team down, concede from one attack.

However, Chelsea are much better when the opposition want the ball, and Norwich have nothing to gain by just sitting back.

Lampard is desperately searching for consistency, but constant rotation among his back line hasn’t helped.

Andreas Christensen came off injured at half-time against the Blades, and Lampard has confirmed he will be in the squad to face the Canaries.

Antonio Rudiger has fallen out of favour recently and didn’t cover himself in glory upon introduction at Bramall Lane, but Chelsea’s best form has come with Rudiger and Christensen at the back.

Chelsea sacrifice attacking threat when Cesar Azpilicueta plays at left-back, with Marcos Alonso far more effective going forward, despite his defensive shortcomings.