The Blues were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Burnley on Saturday, a result that once again exposed familiar issues.
After taking an early lead through Joao Pedro, Chelsea failed to capitalise - before being pegged back in stoppage time.
The turning point came when Wesley Fofana was sent off, becoming the eighth different Chelsea player to be shown two yellow cards this season.
The dismissal shifted the momentum and ultimately proved costly, as Zian Flemming struck a dramatic late equaliser.
It was another example of a worrying trend. Chelsea have now dropped 19 points from winning positions this season, underlining both their lack of decisiveness in key moments and a recurring disciplinary problem.
While indiscipline has clearly played its part, there is also a growing acceptance behind the scenes that defensive depth - and experience - must be upgraded.
Significant decisions are expected in the coming months regarding the futures of Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo, according to sources.
With uncertainty surrounding their roles, Chelsea are increasingly likely to enter the market for a proven, high-level centre-back to anchor a back line that currently leans heavily on developing talent.
Several names are already under consideration. Nottingham Forest’s Murillo is admired for his composure and consistency, while Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae could offer elite-level pedigree at a time when he is going to be allowed to make a transfer.
Benfica’s Antonio Silva is another highly rated option, tracked by Chelsea for some time as one of Europe’s standout young defenders.
As Chelsea prepare for another influential summer, reinforcing the heart of defence is no longer just a possibility - it is becoming a necessity.
