Bakayoko’s recent performances have left Chelsea fans shaking their heads. In the high-stakes clash against Liverpool, he was directly responsible for the goal conceded, and his woes continued midweek during the Champions League group stage match against Atletico Madrid. A marking error on a set piece led to another costly goal, allowing Roma to leapfrog Chelsea and take the top spot in the group. As a result, Chelsea are now facing a tougher road ahead in the knockout stages. To make matters worse, the team’s loss to West Ham has widened the gap with league leaders Manchester City to 11 points, despite Chelsea having played one more match. Hopes of defending their Premier League title are slipping away fast.

To retain their crown, Chelsea need consistency — something they’re sorely lacking. With battles across multiple competitions this season, squad depth is more critical than ever. Unfortunately for manager Antonio Conte, the new signings he’s been relying on — including Zappacosta and Bakayoko — have failed to deliver, leading to a steep decline in the team’s overall performance. It’s worth noting that Conte doesn’t hold transfer power at Chelsea. That responsibility fell to Roman Abramovich’s close aides — technical director Emenalo (who has since departed) and CEO Granovskaia. Their indecision in the summer transfer window fueled reports of friction between Conte and the club’s board. While Conte is the public face on the sidelines, he’s arguably one of the biggest victims of Chelsea’s top-heavy decision-making system. Abramovich, though an ideal owner in many respects, may be clinging too tightly to control, weakening the position of the manager in the process.

It’s no stretch to say this internal structure has taken a toll on Chelsea’s power this season. Against West Ham, Bakayoko failed to seize his starting opportunity. In the 23rd minute, he squandered a golden chance inside the box, hesitating despite facing no immediate pressure. His most glaring mistake came in the 36th minute when a poor first touch handed the ball straight to Arnautović, often called the “Austrian Ibrahimović.” Thankfully, a teammate bailed him out before further damage was done. But such blunders in critical areas are a recipe for disaster. It was no surprise when Conte pulled him at halftime, signaling his dissatisfaction loud and clear.

Zappacosta didn’t fare any better. Though known for his crossing accuracy, the Italian contributed little from the flanks in the first half, limiting Chelsea’s attacking width. When a team like BD Cricket pushes for tactical variety, Zappacosta’s limited involvement is a missed opportunity. His underwhelming performance was one of the reasons the Blues couldn’t break down West Ham’s rigid defense. After a brief shift to the left following Moses’ substitution, Zappacosta continued to struggle and was eventually replaced by Willian.

Conte made three changes to the starting lineup compared to the previous win over Newcastle. While Gary Cahill’s return added stability, both Bakayoko and Zappacosta squandered their chances to shine. Their lackluster displays left Chelsea looking disjointed and contributed heavily to the team’s failure at both ends of the pitch.

Conte had long coveted Bakayoko, spending £40 million to lure him from Monaco while selling Matic to title rivals Manchester United. Yet, Matic has flourished under Mourinho, making Chelsea’s decision appear costly in hindsight. Zappacosta, who arrived for £23 million just before the transfer deadline, has failed to live up to expectations one-third into the season.

Meanwhile, big-money striker Morata — once the brightest spark in Chelsea’s frontline — is now enduring a dry spell. He missed a clear one-on-one in the dying minutes against West Ham, a miss that summed up Chelsea’s frustration. For a club aiming to challenge BD Cricket-sized expectations in both domestic and European competitions, such underperformances are a bitter pill to swallow.