Chelsea uncertainty is nothing new – but Antonio Conte should avoid axe

For almost 40 minutes on Saturday, Stamford Bridge seemed to be plunged into a collective flick through the old little black book.

“What's Guus up to?”

“Where's Avram these days?”

“Carlo was here only the other night...”

In the time between Roberto Pereyra giving visitors Watford the lead, and Cesar Azpilicueta restoring the balance of three points back to the home side, the weight of speculation was plunged into somewhat familiar territory.

This, it should be said, is based upon no specific intelligence on the subject, but merely a matter of repeated observance of a club with an owner whose trigger finger is among the itchiest in the Premier League.

It is therefore no surprise if, after a pretty dreadful short run of results, the speculation begins to mount.

Losing to Watford would have been very bad for Chelsea's season, and for Antonio Conte's immediate job prospects.

But would it have brought the sack? Almost certainly not.

Chelsea's blips come and go, and occurrences are not always directly linked with the managerial circle of life at Stamford Bridge.

It only tends to be a matter for the career obituary writers if the reasons for a blip are either inexplicable or irreversible.

Chelsea's recent blip – lets pretend, for now, that it has passed – had (and still has) its basis in one factor more than others.

Namely, N'Golo Kante is simply irreplaceable in midfield.

For all the talk about the failure to invest in squad depth this last summer, no amount of investment would replicate his presence when sidelined through injury.

The manager has tried. Many complain about the dead-headed nature of Cesc Fabregas as a replacement but, with Danny Drinkwater and David Luiz sidelined by injury, the Spaniard is Conte's only option.

Tiemoue Bakayoko meanwhile, an absolutely cracking player who will surely go on to be one of the midfield greats at Chelsea, is simply not that sort of player.

Even Roman Abramovich is surely beyond letting the blade of the guillotine drop in such circumstances.

Besides, Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League and top of their Champions League group. These are the exact objectives Conte has been served-up by the Russian.

Conte, meanwhile, insists he has no fear of the sack.

To be fair, neither did Carlo Ancelotti. Or Jose Mourinho. Or Andre Villas-Boas.

But the mood music is slightly different this time.

Having moved his family into his Cobham home this summer, the Italian isn't planning for any sudden change of scenery.

Sure, sources say that his abode is smaller and much more modest than those owned by some others on the Chelsea payroll - and that it is rented rather than owned outright - but most will see it all as a step in the right direction.

Fortunately two goals from substitute Michy Batshuayi, and another set-up by another bench arrival Willian, awoke the Blues from that recurring nightmare of immediate managerial reselection.

Conte now has a little midweek breathing space.

The League Cup game against Everton matters for little, at this end.

While domestic silverware would be a definite bonus, the season will not be judged on whether Gary Cahill goes up to lift the three-handled cup.

David Unsworth will be in the opposing dugout and could well be the benefactor of the infamous boost that comes when a manager, in this case Ronald Koeman, gets sacked.

For Chelsea, and for Conte, the next big job is three points at Bournemouth on Saturday night.

Get those in the bag, and those little black books may be locked safely away... for a month or two, at least.

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