Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay has addressed the entire playing staff over recent off-field scandals. After three weeks of embarrassing revelations about the sordid behaviour of two of the Blues' most high-profile stars, the patience of Roman Abramovich finally snapped.

That was when he ordered hatchet-man Gourlay to lay it on the line to every one of the club's millionaire superstars. Though the meeting at the Cobham training ground lasted only 10 minutes, no one was left in any doubt about the consequences of any further transgressions.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed: "The meeting was the owner's idea and Ron Gourlay spoke on his behalf.

"I spoke as well and all the players were there and invited to have their say.

"We told them they have to pay attention to their behaviour, because the image of this club is very, very important. We expect good behaviour from everyone. Not just from the players but from everyone who works at this club.

"The aim of the club is to project a good image to the outside world, to the fans and all the people who look in at Chelsea. I don't know what the players thought. But now everyone understands very clearly what the club wants.

"They know very well what they have to do, what behaviour is expected of them when they are in a Chelsea shirt."