With suspsensions and injuries mounting and players off to the African Cup of Nations early next year, the Stamford Bridge side will be down to their bare bones very soon.
Frank Lampard is the latest man to hit the medical treatment table and will be weeks away from a return to action.
By then, Chelsea could be out of the title race - they are already seven points behind Manchester United and even out of two domestic cups.
The Champions League, like the cups, is now at the knockout stage and Chelsea's luck could run out there too if the side is without the main players.
So what's the alternative?
Last season at this stage, Jose Mourinho demanded support from his board for new signings as they entered a similar period with major injuries. Then Roman refused.
But now with his buddy Grant in charge, Chelsea could find themselves ignoring the bargain basement signings and heading for the best players available.
On the list are, in no particular order of priority, Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Luka Modric, Daniel Alves, Maicon Douglas and Nicolas Anelka.
Also for a longer-term view they are looking at Barcelona's 16-year-old starlet Thiago Alcantara.
So will Roman dust off the cheque book and sign off £60m?
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