Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich remains determined to give manager Andre Villas-Boas every chance to succeed at Stamford Bridge.
The Telegraph says it was solely Abramovich's decision to appoint Villas-Boas and the cost of releasing him from his contract at Porto and sacking his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti last May has been put at £28 million in the club's recently released accounts.
Abramovich would countenance 'only' a top four finish this year as long as Chelsea show signs of progressing under Villas-Boas - and an attacking, exciting style of play is important - and do well in the two cup competitions they remain in. Abramovich has been fully supportive of Villas-Boas in the realisation that changes need to be made at Chelsea and that the club is in a year of transition. If a change is made it will be made reluctantly and only after every avenue is pursued to try and support Villas-Boas.