With just one win from five Premier League games leaving Chelsea floundering in 17th, things have gotten serious at the club's training ground.
Both the Telegraph and the Sun report that a 'banter ban' has been implemented, seemingly a joint decision by players and Jose Mourinho.
The Sun have word from a club insider regarding the suspension of all jokes, ribbing, wisecracking and witty repartee among staff.
There are unhappy players around the place. There are no jokes or banter because they recognise it is a serious situation. But there has been no crisis meeting, it’s business as usual.
The players recognise they need to get some results together and it’s time for hard work.
Presumably the moratorium on banter means John Obi Mikel will no longer be part of the Chelsea starting XI.
Chelsea, and Jose Mourinho in particular, also featured prominently on Monday's back pages with the Portuguese manager's confrontation with Roberto Martinez receiving plenty of attention.
