Rafa Benitez is the man Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich favours to replace Andre Villas-Boas - should he sack his manager.

The Telegraph says sources have claimed that Abramovich was "75 per cent certain" to turn to former Liverpool manager Benítez if he decided to make a change.

Benítez's disciplined approach, and a previous history with Fernando Torres, count in his favour but he would be deeply unpopular with supporters while Abramovich has been desperate for Villas-Boas to succeed because it was his decision to pay the €15 million release clause in his Porto contract and hire him.