“Barcelona were predictable but they won" was Maurizio Sarri's defence when recently quizzed on why he never makes changes to his starting line-up.
Unfortunately for him, though, Chelsea are no longer winning under the Italian coach, and are now out of the FA Cup following a 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester United, just over a week after dropping out of the Premier League's top four after a humiliating 6-0 loss at Manchester City.
Sarri needs time to implement his nuanced style of football, of course, but patience is now in short supply at Stamford Bridge, because, unlike fellow philosopher Pep Guardiola during a difficult first season at the Etihad, the former Napoli boss can't point to past glories to reassure the sceptics.