We are only four games or one-ninth into the season but already the big clubs seem to find themselves in full-blown crises. Except for league leaders Manchester City, who from the way they have performed so far, will run away with the title this season. The defending champions Chelsea lost their second game of the season Saturday, Arsenal can't seem to score to save their lives, while Spurs are in a similar situation and winless.

Chelsea's situation appears to be the most dire. After a lackluster draw in their season opener, they have gone on to lose two of their next three games while giving up two goals to West Brom in the one game they won. The defense seems to be a key weakness with Branislav Ivanovic and captain John Terry raising eyebrows, but not in a good way. This is presumably why manager Jose Mourinho has been launching offer after offer at Everton for 21-year-old center back John Stones. But even the team's midfield has been overpowered in games and striker Diego Costa has been below par as well.

What makes this unusual is that the team is basically the same as last ­season's, which won the league by a comfortable margin. Is it possible that the likes of Eden Hazard and Costa have suddenly turned into mediocre players or is it something more than just form? Mourinho has been more antagonistic than before, having publicly slammed rivals and even his own medical team whilst benching Terry for the first time ever. While Chelsea players have not spoken out, it would not be surprising if Mourinho's antics may be affecting some of them.

Arsenal, according to a lot of pundits, are desperate for a goal scorer. After coming into the season as contenders, they have scored a measly three goals in four games, two of them own goals. The team clearly needs somebody better than Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott, claim a lot of observers. But yet in last Monday's draw with Liverpool, Aaron Ramsey had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside while against Newcastle Saturday, Arsenal had a clear penalty not given when Hector Bellerin was brought down in the box.

Arsenal's crosstown rivals Spurs are in the same situation though perhaps more dire. Not only have Spurs failed to win a game so far, but last season's hero Harry Kane has failed to score and has looked tentative and hesitant. Having earned plaudits and deemed by some to be England's future talisman, the pressure may be a bit much for him.

For once, the international break this time might actually be welcomed as fans of these teams hope they return fresher and less lackluster.

The author is a Beijing-based freelance writer. hcpyip@gmail.com