Thiago Silva has warned things could get worse before they get better for Chelsea unless the club "stop and put a strategy in place".
Chelsea lost 2-0 to Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to exit the Champions League 4-0 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage.
The Blues also fell short in both domestic cup competitions and are 11th in the Premier League, despite spending more than £600million on new players over the past year.
That has coincided with the Todd Boehly-led consortium taking over from Roman Abramovich, with the new backers having nothing to show for their investment so far.
The owners have already sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, with Frank Lampard brought back as caretaker manager, but Silva hopes lessons will be learned.
"I think the first step has been made, an incorrect step, but it has been made," he told TNT Sports following Chelsea's European exit.
"We can't be blaming the managers if we don't take responsibility. It's a hard period for the club, with a lot of indecision.
"Change of ownership, new players arriving – we had to increase the size of the changing room because it didn't fit the size of the squad.
"A positive point is that there are amazing players in the squad, but on the other hand, there are always players that are going to be unhappy."
Chelsea have made 17 signings over the past two transfer windows – both loan and permanent arrivals – leaving a number of players struggling for any meaningful action.
"There is always going to be someone upset because not everyone can play," Silva said. "The manager can only pick 11 from a squad of 30-something – that's tough.
"Some can't make the squad. We signed eight in January, so we need to stop and put a strategy in place, otherwise next season we could make the same mistakes."
Chelsea are winless in seven matches, losing five of those, including all four since Lampard was brought in as Potter's temporary successor.
Veteran centre-back Silva, who is nearing the end of his third season with Chelsea, accepts it is down to him and his team-mates to step up.
"Everybody talks too much about replacing managers. I think we, as players, must also take responsibility," he said.
"We have had three managers this season, plus a fourth with Bruno [Saltor] where we failed to win. We have lost today, and with Lampard, we have failed to win.
"Everybody is talking about the manager, but we must look at what has been done wrong and try to change."
Chelsea have seven Premier League games remaining, starting with the visit of London rivals Brentford next Wednesday.
Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa depart Wolves with Adama Traore in talks to stay
Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa are to leave Wolves when their current contracts expire with Adama Traore still in talks over an extension.
The Premier League club’s sporting director Matt Hobbs has confirmed that 36-year-old Portuguese midfielder Moutinho and Brazil-born Spanish striker Costa, 34, will officially depart at the end of this month.
Hobbs told the club’s official website: “Joao’s going to go down as one of the best players to ever pull on the old gold, in my opinion.
“He was an integral part of the team the entire time he was here. Our success over the last four or five years, he’s been instrumental in. So, he now departs with nothing but thanks from the football club.
“We thank Joao for all he did at Wolves and wish him the best of luck for the future.”
Moutinho joined the club from Monaco in July 2018 and made 212 appearances for Wanderers.
On former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea frontman Costa, Hobbs added: “It feels the natural time to part ways because he was on a one-year contract. There was some internal conversations and we felt this was right.
“I’ve got no doubt that Diego will get another club off the back of his performances for sure. If a club calls me to ask about the person, he’ll get nothing but praise from me.”
Traore, however, could yet have a future at Molineux with manager Julen Lopetegui keen to keep the 27-year-old and discussions are ongoing.
Hobbs said: “He’s now out of contract, but it doesn’t mean there’s not an opportunity to still come to an agreement, so conversations will be ongoing. He’s probably earned the right to understand what else is out there.
“Sometimes it’s not possible, but we’ll certainly be trying. We hope we can come to an agreement but let’s see what happens over the next few weeks.”
Hearts and Hibernian given SFA notice of complaint after incident at Tynecastle
Hearts and Hibernian have been served with a notice of complaint by the Scottish Football Association after disorder among their players and staff at the end of last weekend’s fiery Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle.
At full-time, following a clash that ended 1-1, two skirmishes erupted on the pitch, one directly in front of the two technical areas and another just moments afterwards in the centre circle.
Hearts goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher and substitute shot-stopper Ross Stewart as well as Hibs manager Lee Johnson and unused substitute Rocky Bushiri were all shown red cards for their part in the post-match chaos.
And on Friday it emerged that the two clubs have been charged, alleged to have breached disciplinary rule 204, which states that: “All clubs and recognised football bodies shall procure that its officials, team staff, employees and players conduct themselves in an orderly fashion at all times during and/or after a match.
“In particular, clubs and recognised football bodies are responsible for ensuring that its officials, team staff, employees and players refrain from any one or a combination of the following: (a) becoming involved in a confrontation; b) conduct that is likely to lead to or to exacerbate or prolong a hostile or argumentative situation with players and/or team staff from the opposing team and/or match officials; (c) conduct that may otherwise incite disorder.”
The hearing for both clubs is due to take place on June 29.
Tony Docherty delighted to bring experienced defender Joe Shaughnessy to Dundee
Tony Docherty has secured his first signing as Dundee manager after Joe Shaughnessy pledged to join the cinch Championship title winners.
The former Aberdeen, Southend and St Johnstone defender will join Dundee when his St Mirren contract expires next week.
Docherty told his club’s website: “I worked with Joe as a young player at Aberdeen and he is the type of person I want at this football club.
“I know what I’m getting with Joe. He has a great work ethic and attitude. He has great experience of the league having captained both St Mirren and St Johnstone.
“There was a lot of competition from other clubs to get him, so I’m delighted he has chosen to sign for us.”
The Irish defender had an offer to stay in Paisley but opted to move on.
The 30-year-old said: “I am really excited to get started at Dundee and work with the manager again. I’ve had positive chats with him over the last few days and I can’t wait to get in for the first day of pre-season and get started.”
Lee Ashcroft and Harrison Sharp earlier signed two-year contracts to stay on at Dens Park.
“I have loved my three years at the club so far and am looking forward to hopefully a successful season in the top division after winning the league last year,” 29-year-old former Kilmarnock and Dunfermline defender Ashcroft said.
Goalkeeper Sharp made 14 appearances last season, seven of them in the league.
The 22-year-old said: “I thoroughly enjoyed last season and some of the memories that we made as a squad are memories that will last forever, and now I can’t wait to be back playing in the league where we belong.”
The pair follow goalkeeper Adam Legzdins, long-serving full-back Cammy Kerr and homegrown midfielder Lyall Cameron in agreeing to stay since promotion was secured early last month.
The Dark Blues announced earlier this week that Alex Jakubiak, Jordan Marshall, Paul McMullan, Luke Strachan, Paul McGowan and Cillian Sheridan had not been offered new contracts.
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