It`s late December 2017, a harsh winter has descended on the UK and the country has come to a standstill.
Deep snow, lasting days has paralysed the transport network in London, a Labour government has taken over parliament and strikes, over pay and conditions, are starting to cripple the country.
Although the deep snow may be alluring to look at, matters are from being how they should.
I`m looking at the Premier League table, running my finger down from the top to the bottom, I`ve passed sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth, there sit my beloved Chelsea, in eleventh place, so far off the pace it`s untrue.
I lean back in my chair, sigh out loudly and wonder where it had all gone so wrong.
It seems like just yesterday that Michy Batshuayi scored the goal, at the Hawthorn, to clinch the 2016 / 2017 title for Chelsea, but things have changed and certainly not for the better.
Back in late June, a monumental change took place at Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte walked.
Rows over incoming transfers, the Diego Costa affair and a lack of trust from the board, saw the Italian quit and move back to Serie A.
The Chelsea support mourned the loss of the boss who would have certainly guaranteed us a very bright future, a boss who would have headed up a new dynasty in European football.
Since then, the new man has come in, things have changed.
Hazard, having recovered from his broken ankle, joined Real Madrid.
The new boss opted for a return to the back-four, David Luiz became half the player he was in the back-three deployed by Conte, whilst Cesar Azilpicueta, on transfer dead-line day, opted for a move to Barcelona.
Willian and Pedro had been benched, with the new boss favouring a 4-4-2 formation, goals were being conceded left, right and centre, whilst, up front, the strikers were besieged with bad luck and injuries.
Come November, it was decided enough was enough, the new boss was axed and in stepped a caretaker manager, the wily old Dutchman, Guus Hiddink.
Guus, in his third caretaker spell, started well, slowly Chelsea climbed the table, but any silverware was way out of contention, the Premier League title was already lost, Chelsea had crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages, they`d been humiliated in the League Cup after crashing out at Lincoln City, the draw for the FA Cup had given us a difficult fixture away to Manchester City, despite the white hue given off by the deep snow, Stamford Bridge was covered by a dark, gloomy cloud.
Meanwhile, on sunnier climes, Diego Costa had a wry smile on his face, he`d gotten his cut-price return to Atletico Madrid and was just days away from making a playing return to his new club. Meanwhile, in Serie A, an Antonio Conte led AC Milan were ten points clear of the pack, the Don had done what everyone had expected he would.
Back in England, enjoying his second season in charge of Manchester United, Jose Mourinho was top of the Premier League, his side running away with the title, eight points clear of Tottenham Hotspur.
Does it all sound a bit familiar and too close to home?
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