The message from the owners remains one of wanting to provide support and backing, and yet the growing feeling around Chelsea is that the next two games will ultimately be make or break for head coach Graham Potter.

Chelsea’s run is not just testing the faith of the owners, with senior players said to be concerned over whether or not Potter can turn the situation around, new signings shocked by the pressure they are already under and anger among those who are having to be left out of the matchday squad.

Todd Boehly was at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to see Chelsea’s latest defeat and is scheduled to be joined by co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali for the games against Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge.

Given the current circumstances, that feels significant enough and even if he were not sacked immediately after the Dortmund game if Chelsea have failed to win either of their next two matches, those around the club, including players, believe there would ultimately be no way back.

Rather than looking to Mikel Arteta for inspiration, as he did after Sunday’s defeat by Tottenham, Potter and Chelsea might be better to look at Mauricio Pochettino’s start to life at Spurs nine years ago for encouragement that all hope of a turnaround is not lost.

There is plenty of sympathy and understanding for what many believe is the impossible situation Potter has been placed in trying to manage such a bloated squad, but his enforced decisions are provoking frustration and some anger.