Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is fighting for his job after two of their worst defeats came in their last three games.
The Blues were hammered 6-0 by Manchester City on Sunday and lost 4-0 at Bournemouth at the end of January.
And reports in the UK now claim that his players are confused by his tactics eight months into the Italian’s tenure.
Chelsea suffered their heaviest defeat for 28 years which saw them slip to sixth in the Premier League, below Arsenal on goals scored, ahead of what could be a decisive period for Sarri before the end of February.
The Blues’ next game is a trip to Malmo in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday.
Chelsea’s players are understood to be baffled by the avalanche of tactical information they are given to carry out their manager’s ‘Sarriball’ philosophy.
Sarri is facing a fight to convince the club’s hierarchy that he has a long-term future at Stamford Bridge after Sunday’s humiliating 6-0 loss at Manchester City, their worst ever Premier League defeat.
Already Blues legend Frank Lampard, currently boss of Derby, has been linked to taking over at Stamford Bridge
But Lamps says: “It’s certainly a club I respect and a manager that I respect so it wouldn’t make me smile or anything different because my job is here.”
“For Chelsea, it was a tough day.
"With all top teams, the important thing is you come back strong, no matter what type of defeat.
"What makes top teams is resilience, and Chelsea as a club will have it.”