It was business as usual for Maurizio Sarri as he led Chelsea's training session on Wednesday despite intense speculation over his future as manager.
The Blues defend a 2-1 first leg lead against Swedish club Malmo in the last-32 of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night and Sarri knows he cannot afford anything less than victory at Stamford Bridge.
Maybe with that in mind, the Italian was deep in conversation with on-loan striker Gonzalo Higuain as the squad walked out to the training pitches at Cobham.
Under-pressure Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri deep in conversation with striker Gonzalo Higuain
The Italian is in search of a saviour after recent poor results left his job hanging by a thread
Meanwhile, Ross Barkley brought down Mateo Kovacic with a hefty challenge in training
The two players, who are often subbed for one another by Sarri, were left wincing
The two midfielders were soon back on their feet, with Barkley checking on Kovacic
And was Ross Barkley ensuring he gets a full 90 minutes with what looked like a heavy challenge on Mateo Kovacic?
The Croatian midfielder was left wincing following Barkley's tackle from behind, though the Englishman seemed to hurt himself as well.
Sarri has decided to replace Barkley with Kovacic or vice versa 20 times in all competitions this season (17 Premier League, two Carabao Cup and one FA Cup).
For many fans, it has come to represent an inertia with his 'Sarri-ball' tactics that simply aren't working in English football.
Monday's FA Cup exit to Manchester United, in addition to recent heavy Premier League losses to Bournemouth and Manchester City, have left Sarri's job hanging by a threat.
Chelsea play City again on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final but first must negotiate the test of Malmo and make it through to the last-16 of the Europa League.
Sarri keeps a close eye on Eden Hazard as Chelsea prepare for their second leg with Malmo
Young striker Callum Hudson-Odoi on the ball as he hopes for a rare appearance on Thursday
Hudson-Odoi is pictured with Cesar Azpilicueta during a training exercise at Cobham
With the club currently sixth in the Premier League table - albeit just a point behind United in fourth - winning the Europa League could prove their ticket into next season's Champions League.
Speaking at his press conference on Wednesday, Sarri insisted that a run of positive results could yet give him a long-term future as Chelsea manager despite open mutiny from fans on Monday night.
Owner Roman Abramovich isn't known
