It has long been clear that all is not well at Chelsea, far from ideal preparation for a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
The need for co-owner Todd Boehly to deliver his own attempt to rally the troops has only added to that sense.
Just in case Frank Lampard's words alone are not enough, Chelsea's players will walk out for the second leg against the holders at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday with their season on the line and a message from Boehly ringing in their ears.
While Boehly's appearance in the dressing room following Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Brighton was not out of the ordinary, what he had to say did raise eyebrows among well-placed sources.