Antonio Conte's start to life at Chelsea has already hit a number of stumbling blocks. After months of negotiations to convince the Italian to move to Stamford Bridge last summer, defeat at Arsenal last weekend saw a number of people suddenly question his quality.

Conte's side were swept away by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, in truth. The Gunners were expected to embarrass Chelsea when they were winning 3-0 at half-time, but only their easing off prevented a horrendous scoreline.

Last December when Jose Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea, a number of supporters felt the club were just in need of a new direction. If fans believe this Chelsea team just simply lacks direction, then more than a sat-nav is required urgently! With the exception of Diego Costa's tireless performance, there was not one positive to take from Chelsea's defeat, which further highlights issues at the club that are running far deeper than previously assumed.

Without John Terry, Chelsea look an embarrassment in defence. When an ambitious side like Chelsea are relying on a 35-year-old central defender for leadership and guidance then it is a genuine worry. David Luiz was re-signed on transfer deadline day, but why? The Brazilian was certainly not Chelsea's first option in their pursuit of another defender this summer but his leadership and feel good factor were deemed enough for purchase.

You only have to have watched Chelsea in recent weeks to notice the impact Costa has on his team-mates in terms of spurring them on, and they continue to look lost without Terry at the back. Previously when Chelsea had struggled to maintain form and consistency another major squad member was always ready to rally the troops. Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech were all big personalities in the Chelsea dressing who were capable of providing guidance to some of the club's younger players - are Chelsea in that situation now?

An even more worrying note remains in that where are Chelsea's superstars? Once again Eden Hazard has started the season like he played out the majority of the campaign last year. Mourinho and a number of Chelsea fans believed Hazard should have been spoken in the same way as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo not so long ago, but those days have gone.

Cesc Fabregas? Nemanja Matic? Thibaut Courtois? All three players were the backbone of Chelsea's success in 2014/15 under Mourinho, yet when the going has been tough none of these 'superstars' have really helped.

For Conte. or any other manager. to be successful, the first thing that needs to be changed is the club's lack of identity. In comparison, Arsenal play a fast-paced attacking style of play which is great on the eye, Liverpool and Tottenham's high-pressing has proven successful and then there's Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. At Chelsea, there remains no style of football, no identity to their play, a lack of charisma and also a lack of belief.

Conte's style, previously experienced with both the Italian national team and Juventus, is yet to be enforced at Chelsea. His iconic three-at-the-back proved incredibly successful at Juve and the Turin outfit claimed the Serie A title on three successive occasions with him at the helm. Arguments will be made that the Italian doesn't have the same players at his disposal to adopt such a formula at Chelsea, though - Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and John Terry are not similar players to the infamous trio he had. For Conte to implement his philosophy he is in desperate of reinforcements.

There is an obvious lack of confidence in this group's own ability also. Costa is certainly playing like a man possessed this campaign and his belief in his own ability is evident. Can the same be said for Hazard or Fabregas? In the past year, the only consistent performers have been Willian and Costa, and a large number of the group have lost their killer instinct.

Roman Abramovich sacked Mourinho in the hope and belief that last season would turn around with him out of the picture, but it's clear the problems in at the Bridge run much deeper than who is sitting in the dugout. The fortress that was once the west Londoners' home ground has all the resilience of a sandcastle nowadays. When you look at the results, the story is clearly unfolding before our eyes. Chelsea

When you look at the results, the story is clearly unfolding before our eyes. Chelsea are struggling and cannot cope with the pressure of success previously achieved. A lot has to change, and change fast.