Interim Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has suggested that his players may be saving their energy for this summer's European Championships with nothing to play for in the league.
The Blues were brushed aside by Manchester City courtesy of a Sergio Aguero hat-trick at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, a result that left them 10th in the Premier League table.
Chelsea are now mathematically unable to qualify for next season's Champions League and must overcome a 12-point deficit with just five games remaining in order to finish fifth.
"I cannot blame the players for having a lack of attitude," Hiddink told reporters after the game. "Some players might think that, but I cannot look into their minds, in their brains. They might be thinking of the Euros.
"When there is nothing at stake then with some people there is a little bit of a lack of the ultimate work."
Chelsea are next back in action on Saturday when they travel to Bournemouth.
