Roman Empire crumbling to pieces...

In this beautiful game, it's the most irrelevant and seemingly meaningless moments that have the most destructive of effects.

If Michael Essien had closed down Jason Koumas before the Welshman's cross was volleyed home by Emile Heskey at Stamford Bridge last April, Chelsea could very well be the reigning Premier League champions. If John Terry's posture when taking penalties leaned him forward instead of back, Chelsea could very well be the reigning European champions. If.

Would we be talking about a 'Chelsea crisis' if they were the domestic and European champions? Yes. Why? Because, if Manchester United were playing as poorly as Chelsea currently are, it would be reported as 'the end of an era'. For Roman Abramovich though, his (and this current Chelsea side's) era ended in September 2007.

When Jose Mourinho left the Fulham Road, it was reminiscent of the effect Elvis had on rock 'n' roll when the US Army came a-calling. This arrogant, pompous but wholly unique and adventurous creation ripped apart, abandoned by its talisman and leader.

Whereas rock 'n' roll could count on the emergence of dedicated followers and students to carry its weight and message to new generations, Mourinho was the past, present and future of Chelsea Football Club. He had built a side, moulded and sculpted it, observed as it challenged and overcame the tired and generic big-two of Manchester United and Arsenal. He revelled in how his team were ridiculed by many but praised by those that mattered. The Great One's individuality may have been taken as 'runt-of-the-litter' upon his arrival in England but since he's walked away, the Premier League has returned to a valley of dull mediocrity both on and off the field.

Both Avram Grant and Luiz Felipe Scolari's tenures at Stamford Bridge were bland and largely forgettable. The Israeli would counter-claim by pointing to the fact that his side came within two points and a lick of paint of winning both the Premier and Champions League. But it was never his side. The players belonged to Mourinho, the club belonged to Mourinho. It was the talent possessed by Terry, Carvalho, Lampard, Drogba et al that pushed Chelsea to the brink of greatness in May of last year, not the managerial nous of Grant.

Scolari tried in vain to make changes and put his stamp on the side. The acquisition of unreliable Deco last summer was the first attempt, his last being the the recent purchase of the patchy Ricardo Quaresma. Off the pitch, there were well-documented problems but more importantly, on the pitch, the side were a mess. The 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United was not just embarassing but humbling. Mourinho's players - Ballack, Mikel, Drogba and Lampard skulked around Old Trafford disinterested and jaded. Scolari's big summer signing Deco was substituted at half-time.

With Hiddink seemingly a short-term solution, the onus falls on the shoulders of Roman Abramovich to decide whether or not he wants a leader once again. Whether or not he wants a team again. Like any empire, Chelsea needs to be dismantled before being rebuilt. But to do that, you need an emperor. Jose Mourinho remains the only one to have ever graced Stamford Bridge.