Constant changes in formation and personnel - and another disappointing defeat.
Xabi Alonso's frustration was obvious as Chelsea's struggles for identity continued in the 1-0 defeat by Sunderland.
It is starting to feel as though the Spaniard is the latest "Tinkerman" at Stamford Bridge, a moniker first associated with Blues boss Claudio Ranieri back in 2002-03.
For the first time this season, Chelsea lined up with a three-man midfield - but they were also without a recognised striker for the second match in a row, with Pedro Neto again struggling to lead the line in their loss at the Stadium of Light.
By contrast, struggling Sunderland were led by target man Brian Brobbey, who won a 36th-minute penalty after being brought down by Levi Colwill. Enzo le Fee converted the game's only goal from the spot.
That decision came moments after Chelsea were denied a penalty when Cole Palmer went down under a challenge from Luke O'Nien, but the video assistant referee ruled that contact had started outside the box.
Those two incidents in quick succession meant Alonso and his coaching staff appeared angry on the touchline after the Sunderland goal.
However, the Chelsea manager refused to criticise the officials after the game - instead he gave brief answers that changed the subject and were critical towards his players for not carrying out the gameplan properly.
Asked whether Brobbey was simply unstoppable, Alonso, 44, replied: "No, he's stoppable. He's stoppable, but we have to do it better than we did today.
"Out of almost nothing he got a couple of chances. He got the penalty as well.
"I'm not happy with how we defended that situation. It's something that we could have avoided, something that we had worked on during the week. To concede penalties is not good for us."
It left nowhere to hide for Colwill, who was substituted at half-time, with Moises Caicedo filling in at centre-back despite having barely completed a full training session all week and needing careful management of his own fitness issues.
Chelsea also created few clear chances, aside from a headed opportunity that £117m signing Morgan Rogers squandered, while Palmer also struggled - days after being left out of the England squad.
Before the season started, Alonso said he wanted his Chelsea side to be "unpredictable".
Although factors such as injuries are beyond his control, his side have achieved that, but to their own detriment.