Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas will get the green light to clearout the veterans - if he survives the axe himself this season. The Telegraph says Villas-Boas will be allowed by Roman Abramovich to clear-out Chelsea's 'old guard' in the summer and replace them with, according to one well-placed source, "a new, young team", if he survives this season.

"He's not happy with any coach who has lost games," the source said.

"But he is not happy with the players either. Some players are supporting him [Villas-Boas] but the old boys are on their way out."

Among those most under threat are Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda, with the Chelsea 'project' being undertaken by Villas-Boas representing a drive to reduce the average age of the squad and recruit players who are hungry for success.