The last time Chelsea started a season this poorly, Jose Mourinho was sacked in December and they ended up a lowly 10th in the Premier League.
Thomas Tuchel doesn't strike you as someone who pays too much attention to omens but he can't deny the problems are swiftly piling up at Stamford Bridge.
Despite an enormous summer outlay on new players, Chelsea have lost their last two games on the road - collapsing 3-0 at Leeds and then throwing away a lead to go down 2-1 at Southampton on Tuesday night.