Problems outweighing solutions for Jose
.Jose Mourinho has so many problems with his team, he must be wondering where on earth to start.
His defence look snail-paced and the forwards are so bad he's better off experimenting with something radical. But, the biggest worry for me is the midfield, where Nemanja Matic, Ramires, John Obi Mikel and Cesc Fabregas are playing with the aggression of a new-born baby.
There's no pressure on the ball. I sat on Monday morning and watched the game back and couldn't believe how far Steven Naismith, a man with a reputation for scoring big goals, was allowed to run unhindered. Naismith's two other goals can all be analysed with blame on the midfielders, but the question is what do you sort out first?
My instinct would be to rekindle the energy and desire in that midfield rank. No area of the pitch is more crucial. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a young kid who has suggested he needs a run in the side, right now it can't harm Chelsea to give him one. If he does, then he needs to show that he wants to be a Premier League player with a consistent display of intensity. He will make mistakes, as all young players do, but at 19 he should have the boundless levels of vitality and adrenaline that Chelsea lack.
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In the forward areas Chelsea should try something radical. Well radical for Mourinho - select Loic Remy.
Failing that, it might be time to experiment with Fabregas or Pedro as a false nine. Chelsea have a lot of creative players that, like the rest of their teammates, aren't producing anywhere near their best. However, the strikers are shot.
Radamel Falcao, sadly, looks even more clumsy than he did in his ill-fated spell at United and Diego Costa is so angry with his own shadow he's forgotten how to play football.
I have already mentioned the young defenders Chelsea have on loan in these pages. No one is quite sure why Baba Rahman isn't available to play. Surely they can't permit another Filipe Luis style wastage? He needs to be thrust into action quickly, as do one or two others. Use them Jose, or lose them.
SAS are answer to England's prayers
Even before the World Cup, I was worried about England's defence.
Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill are very good players. Cahill has won the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Europa League and the League Cup. Jagielka has been a superb Premier League servant. The partnership didn't work for me, though. There were too many similarities and not enough culture.
In Chris Smalling and John Stones England have found two excellent centre halves.
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Stones is already a star and according to his enthusiastic manager "he will be a future England captain". This weekend, however, my attention was drawn to Manchester United's Smalling. He has propelled himself to new heights this season.
He reads the game well, he anticipates, he intercepts and he is calm and composed as he does so. Smalling will admit that he needs to improve on his distribution, but his marked improvement and Stones's rise through the fog of transfer speculation, give huge cause for optimism.
Impressive Neil
Since moving south Alex Neil has lost five games of football. He has inspired Norwich to 25 wins, and drawn six. It's a brilliant record.
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Not only has he got his team competing in the Premier League, he has given Wes Hoolahan a chance to thrive, Nathan Redmond a platform on which to shine and he may well get the best out of Matt Jarvis, who had hitherto gone into hiding in East London.
Norwich is a great football club in the heart of the community. It will be tricky, but they might have enough to survive.
Stadium of Light's press box
Sunderland's transfer policy has been questionable for a while, on and off the pitch.
The vantage point for the media at Stadium of Light, a relatively new, modern arena, changed last season, and not for the better.
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Previously we had been housed ten rows back from the pitch in seats my esteemed colleague Mr Collymore could barely squeeze in to. Now we are so far in the sky, the oxygen levels are dangerously low and your ears pop when you come down.
Hey, its not as if there aren't enough empty seats for us to use in sensible areas!
English Clubs in the Champions League
Good luck to all English clubs in Europe this season. I want all to do well and progress to the knockout stages.
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Last year and the year before were thoroughly disappointing but I have a feeling the English teams have geared themselves up to competing on the continent, maybe some of them at the detriment of their domestic form!
You can hear Sam Matterface on ITV Sport's brand new Champions League highlights show this Wednesday at 10pm only on ITV1.
