Head coach Antonio Conte says there is no magic solution to Chelsea’s troubles, calling for patience and hard work.
The Blues, champions in 2014-15 and 10th last term, have lost their past two Premier League games, to Liverpool and Arsenal.
Chelsea have one clean sheet in 15 matches in all competitions and two in the past 25 ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Hull, when captain John Terry (ankle) is again absent.
“We haven’t got a magic wand to change the situation in two months, three months, four months,” Conte said.
“We don’t forget the past. The past is there, it’s very clear. We finished (in) 10th place last season.
“When you finish 10th, it means you have problems. We must change the situation and we must work hard together and we are doing this.”
Chelsea were languishing perilously close to the relegation zone when Jose Mourinho was sacked as boss for a second time last December.
Having been champions just months before, many assumed a quick fix was all that was required.
“I had (that) expectation too,” Conte said.
“It’s not a surprise. Usually, when you change manager, it means you have a problem.
“Sometimes you can be happy and solve the situation very quickly. Sometimes you need to have time to solve the situation.
“(But) I know __with my experience as a footballer and a manager told me to have a bit of patience.”
Some may interpret that as a veiled swipe at Mourinho, who, unlike former Juventus midfielder Conte, had a less than distinguished playing career.
It was merely a statement of fact and perhaps a message for Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner who has a history of firing managers.
Abramovich visited Conte and the squad at their Surrey training base this week.
“I’m lucky because Mr Abramovich is very passionate about football,” Conte added.
“To talk __with him about football is very interesting. To discuss and explain my idea of football, to have a confrontation.”
It was a Freudian slip. It was clarified that the Italian, whose English is very good and continually improving, meant conversation.
Conte said speaking to Abramovich was important for clarity.
He also refused to look ahead to the winter transfer window, amid suggestions the Russian will bank roll another spending spree to overhaul the Blues squad.
“We must think about the present, because the present is now more important,” Conte said.
“I don’t see an opportunity in January to spend money or to change. Now I see the present.
“I see in the present the opportunity to improve, to continue to work, to understand it’s not easy.
“We know this in the club. And we must continue to change the story of last season.”
Terry has missed the past three matches with an ankle injury sustained against Swansea and his earliest possible return will be on October 15 against Leicester.
Defender Kurt Zouma continues his rehabilitation from his long-term knee injury, while midfielder John Obi Mikel is out with a “small muscular problem”, Conte said.
Terry and Zouma’s returns will be welcome, but Conte insists he trusts Gary Cahill despite his recent form blip.
Cahill will start at Hull and the leaking of goals is not just an issue for defenders, Conte said.
“At the moment I think we must solve a big problem. The problem that we concede a lot of goals,” Conte added.
“We are working to solve this problem. Also to improve in attacking situations, to win the ball (back) when we lose it, to stay compact.
“We are working on many principles, but it’s not easy when you start a new season with a new team to just transfer very quickly all your ideas.”