Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is fully behind manager Andre Villas-Boas and his plans for a major squad overhaul. The Telegraph says there remains no appetite to change the manager with, instead, Villas-Boas given a clear mandate for change by Abramovich.

It has helped the Portuguese's cause that some of Chelsea's most disappointing players this campaign - such as Florent Malouda and to an extent Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole - are the older ones while the likes of Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge, who he has championed, have thrived.

As long as his team at least stay fourth, and wins - or goes close to winning - a cup, AVB is expected to retain the Russian billionaire's faith.