Chelsea Must Act Quick in Transfer Market After Branislav Ivanovic's Swansea Woe

STAMFORD BRIDGE, LONDON — Garry Monk’s grin said it all.

The Swansea City manager was asked about his thoughts on Jefferson Montero’s display against Chelsea after his team had secured a well-earned 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

He did a good job of attempting to not get carried away, but it was the smirk that told the full story.

“I set the team up today to showcase the talent we have in our squad, and I think we did that,” Monk explained before he was asked about Montero.

Then came the praise for the Ecuadorian after an eager press room singled him out.

"I see that every day," he said of Montero's ability to expose defenders. "I fear for our full-backs more than opposition full-backs because they have to put up with that every day.

"[...] I wanted us to showcase that today, on TV at the home of the champions."

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Montero certainly did: He tore Branislav Ivanovic a proverbial at Stamford Bridge.

Even before Thibaut Courtois saw red for his foul on Bafetimbi Gomis to concede a penalty soon after the interval, the signs were there that Chelsea weren’t going to have it all their own way—and so it proved.

Ivanovic couldn’t contain Swansea’s Ecuadorian, and it meant Chelsea suffered for much of the afternoon.

In many ways, Montero is what Chelsea lack. They have Eden Hazard. However, outside of the Belgian, their other attackers aren’t as direct in looking to get beyond defenders.

They’re too neat, too self-indulgent at times. They run off their markers to create space but can be too content to play in front of them without getting in behind as often as is needed.

As Montero demonstrated, it’s being direct that can create real panic.

If Monk’s grin confirmed his delight at a job well done from his players—Montero in particular—the sight of Ivanovic retreating helplessly in despair whenever he faced his opposite number was confirmation of the problems Chelsea must deal with. Quickly.

Indeed, it was telling that midway through the first-half after a break in play that John Terry saw fit to reprimand Ivanovic for giving too much away.

With Cesc Fabregas in tow, Ivanovic seemed to be taken to task by his captain, who was being forced into repelling the end product of Montero’s threat more often than he would have liked.

Being the first game of the new season, there has been a suggestion this Chelsea aren't fully fit, which had an impact on the result.

Running with that line is doing a disservice to Monk’s side. From the outset, Swansea showed little fear of playing in the Premier League champions’ back yard and got their reward for it.

Fitness may well be an issue, yet the problems from pre-season have now hit Chelsea in the campaign proper, revealing the deficiencies we suspected are all too real.

Going forward, Chelsea will lament the dearth in quality beyond their first-choice XI. Equally, it’s in defence where Mourinho must make the difference between now and the end of the transfer window.

We've been here before, and now the season has started, Chelsea's lack of business this summer has hurt them.

Every team, from their title rivals to relegation candidates, has strengthened. Chelsea's only additions have been replacements for departed players.

Come the end of 2014/15, holes were appearing in this Chelsea squad. They weren't as strong as we thought, and those holes needed to be filled.

They haven't been addressed, and it means Chelsea are struggling.

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With Kurt Zouma the only recognised defender in this Chelsea squad outside of the starting back four yesterday, Chelsea's lack of depth is going to hurt them over the course of the season.

Mourinho could see the problems in the Ivanovic-Montero matchup, although he was powerless to do anything about it.

He couldn't change things tactically on Saturday to deal with that threat, as he simply didn't have the personnel.

Cesar Azpilicueta is the only left-back at Chelsea, but he's playing out of position given his more natural position on the opposite flank.

Mourinho may have been tempted to put him up against Montero as the game developed, switching things around. He couldn't.

The only changes that presented themselves to the manager were in attack. And even then Chelsea were horribly short.

The red card for Courtois changed the complexion of this game. That said, Chelsea's team come the final whistle was erratic at best. There was no shape.

Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao were leading the line, but with just Eden Hazard in attacking midfield, the creativity wasn't there to feed them.

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By that time, Cesc Fabregas, Willian and Oscar had been hooked, with Chelsea looking far more one-dimensional as a result.

Looking at it now, it's still difficult to wonder how Mourinho thought his 10 men might break Swansea down.

Like Manchester City last season, the champions are guilty of standing still. They look lethargic, devoid of ideas and need a boost.

It's not as simple as throwing money at the problem—it never is—yet with the right additions to complement what they already have, Chelsea should have enough to at least put up a fight to defend their title.

Time is running out, however. They have three weeks to do the business they should have done in July.

The first round of Premier League games has not yet completed, but it seems there's a significant chance this team is going to struggle; Chelsea fans claiming on the contrary are fooling themselves.

It started with Ivanovic against Swansea; the precedent has been set. Chelsea must react before it's too late.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes