What do Chelsea, Dortmund and Barcelona have in common?

Chelsea is on the brink of crashing out of Champions League football for next year, which may result in dire consequences for their manager and young talent.

Frank Lampard is in his first full season as a manager of a Premier League club. He also happens to be coaching the same team that he played for the majority of his career. Lampard is a legend at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues started the season in fantastic form by winning eight and drawing two of their first 12 league games. On November 12th, they were in third in the table and nine points ahead of the fifth-place side in the race for a Champions League slot.

A run of inconsistent form created by the dual inability to convert scoring opportunities and stopping the opponent’s goal chances has led to an erosion of their comfortable position.

The possible final straw occurred after a 3-2 loss at West Ham on Wednesday, which dropped their lead in the qualifying race to just two points.

Chelsea started the campaign with a triad of young forwards, Tammy Abraham (22), Mason Mount (21), and Christian Pulisic (21), who have combined for 26 goals and nine assists.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has never been a patient man. He has traded out players and coaches like people change underwear and socks.

The Blues transfer balance has been unswayed by the pause in play, and the club has taken advantage of their position by quickly capturing two established forwards, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, both in their prime.

This leaves enormous decisions for a club with an owner who worships trophies like people worshipped Tiger King in its prime during the global quarantine.

If Chelsea fails to qualify for the Champions League, then will Frank Lampard be sacked?

What will happen to the youth movement that he oversaw?

The answers to those questions will determine what kind of club Chelsea will be next year and years ahead.