Speaking after the defeat at Goodison Park last weekend, Pochettino said: “After five months, we need to check that is the reality. If we do not receive enough, maybe we need to do something, some movement that is a thing to analyse with the sporting director, the owner and to change the dynamic and to improve in the second part of the season because we need to be more aggressive.”

The Blues spent over £350million in the summer bringing in the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. However, Chelsea find themselves in a worst position at this stage of the season under Pochettino compared to last term under Graham Potter.

According to ESPN reporter James Olley, Pochettino’s side are ready to sanction the departure of several players including Trevoh Chalobah, Ian Maatsen and Noni Madueke to help fund their January transfer plans. The Blues were willing to listen to offers for Marc Cucurella in the summer and would still be open to his exit in the right circumstances ahead of the January transfer window.

CIES Football Observatory values all four players at around £81million – a significant fee that could be invested into the signing of Brentford striker Ivan Toney. The Bees have set a £100million asking price to let Toney leave the club in January.

The England international is set to return from an eight-month ban on January 16 with Pochettino interested in bringing in a clinical striker to help change Chelsea’s fortunes in front of goal. One player at risk of being moved on is Maatsen after he rejected a £30million return to Burnley in the summer – with the Dutch defender now valued at just €15million (£13m).