Graeme Le Saux insists Chelsea’s struggles are down to a number of factors which have combined to create a "complicated environment".
Chelsea have suffered this season after three defeats in their opening 10 League matches narrowed the club’s chances of defending their Premier League title.
Antonio Conte’s defence was then heavily exposed at the Stadio Olympico on Tuesday as a 3-0 loss to Roma in the Champions League heaped more misery on the Blues.
Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge this weekend knowing they could be 12 points off the title pace come Sunday evening should they suffer another damaging loss.
And Le Saux believes the absence of Nemaja Matic, who Chelsea sold to United for £40m earlier this year, has been critical to their lacklustre start.
“Matic not being there and Kante being out is proving to be a real issue for them and while Fabregas offers a lot in possession he doesn’t give you that reliability defensively," said Betfair Ambassador Le Saux.
“David Luiz has made some poor mistakes in recent weeks and even ‘Mr. Reliable’ Cesar Azpilicueta has been caught in possession on a few occasions.
“When you overlay the constant rumours around the future of the manager with these errors, it all adds up to a complicated environment.
He added: “No matter what the result may be on Sunday, a performance of the highest level is absolutely vital to show that the fire still burns."
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Chelsea sit nine points behind leaders Manchester City and welcome a United side in high spirits after they secured a 2-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League at Old Trafford.