Chelsea have laughed off crisis claims - but there's still work to do

Forty-five minutes into the season, 3-0 down at home to Burnley, and the last rites were already being read for Chelsea.

Since that moment, we have seen the stirring sight of the nine-man, almost-fight-back, the backs-against-the-wall smash-and-grab against Tottenham at Wembley and now a competent and controlled win over the fancied Everton.

Six points from nine: they may not have come in the order most expected, but who wouldn't have taken that when the fixtures were announced? And now Antonio Conte takes his Chelsea into the first international break of the autumn with the on-pitch signs appearing positive.

His Sunday update on Eden Hazard spoke of a player on the cusp of being fully match fit: he will be permitted to represent Belgium if it is considered of worth for his recovery but, failing that, he will return to action at Leicester in a fortnight.

That will be as good as a new signing for Chelsea, who always look better when the wing wizard is on song. Meanwhile, two literal new signings are also yet to give their best for the Blues.

Alvaro Morata, who had a subdued run out against both Spurs and Everton, is still managing to show the signs of why Chelsea paid all that cash for him. Though the speed is not quite there yet, the off-the-ball movement is, and he looks as cultured and effective a striking option in the making as Chelsea have had in recent years.

He needs match fitness and also a bit of gym time to add some muscle for the increased physicality of Premier League life. But, even without those, the goals are going in.

Then there is Tiemoue Bakayoko, also rated only around 70% fit, yet still showing signs of a midfield presence made for this club, and this league. If the two of them can continue on an upward curve over this fortnight away from domestic action, then Chelsea will emerge on the other side of it as an XI as good as any other in England.

Of course, as Conte keeps telling us: teams are more than just an XI. And that is where the off-pitch workings really need to be stepped up in coming days.

If Conte’s plaintive 'I am a coach, not a manager' caused alarm, then you really haven't been paying attention to how Chelsea work. Those words first raised concern when they were uttered by Carlo Ancelotti during his 'bad moment' in November 2010. “I am just providing technical direction,” was the phrase, at a point where that particular Italian was having the rug pulled out from underneath him. Even then it was misunderstood.

Chelsea bosses always have this role. And, while many (Conte included) have shown signs of frustration at their inability to direct transfers, it is the gig for which they signed up. That said, Chelsea do need to buy in the remaining days of this transfer window. The squad, as it stands, is in no way deep enough for the demands of a season with Champions League football.

There will be more injuries, by dint of the fact mid-week recovery time will be in shorter supply. And the early season action suggests there will also be more suspensions: with all clubs feeling the impact of a new zero-tolerance refereeing regime.

A striker, a wing-back and a midfielder is the minimum but, as we have seen, in most cases the first XI is good enough. We are looking mainly for depth, rather than marquee signings.

Players will arrive, as we have seen on almost every deadline day in recent years: though whether it is a David Luiz, or a Michael Hector, should reveal just how loudly Conte's pleas are being heard in the admin department.

By Friday morning, the picture will be much clearer for both Conte, and Chelsea.