Our Chelsea fans here in the Transfer Tavern are shaking their heads in disbelief over the start of the year so far. Indeed, it seems like whenever the Blues win the league, they’re just as likely to mess it all up a year later.

Although, Chelsea are still in the top four, just. The start to 2018 hasn’t been the greatest for the Blues in the bar, only winning a couple of games, getting knocked out by rival Arsenal in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup and dropping from a comfortable to 2nd to a point off Tottenham in 5th.

Antonio Conte looks like a man with the world on his shoulders at the moment as the pressure builds around him. Furthermore, looking at the run of games they have in the middle of February, the axe could have fallen on the Italian by March.

Much of the mess is down to simple mistakes made in past window according to our chief barman, not getting a backup striker and left back in earlier are prime examples. With that in mind, here’s a look at TWO transfer mistakes Chelsea made…

Not getting in a quality CB

Chelsea did strengthen in three of the four areas they needed to this window by bringing in Ross Barkley, Emerson Palmieri and Olivier Giroud. However, they need a strong and younger version of the mistake-laden Gary Cahill to come in and sort things out in defence.

However good Cahill has been for the Blues over the years, it looks like his time is up. Much like John Terry last season, the England international looks past it as a Chelsea player and can often cost his team when starting. Should have been sold.

Not selling David Luiz

The Brazilian was free to go in January following an earlier bust-up with Conte in the season, despite his heroics last season. Luiz has featured since that fateful night in Rome, though doesn’t seem trusted by his boss and surely his second stint at Stamford Bridge is soon coming to an end.

However, selling the defender should have been on the high priority list in January, if unity and good morale is to be kept up in the squad.

A player with a gripe against the manager can cause ruptions and Conte should have looked to ship out Luiz earlier instead of letting underlying tensions fester.