Chelsea football chiefs believe Roman Abramovich needs to bankroll six significant signings this summer. The People says Chelsea's top scouts had a decision-making meeting A WEEK BEFORE Carlo Ancelotti's side crashed out of Europe on Tuesday.

And the "recruitment" side of the club worked out that they would have to bring in six new players over the summer or slip behind their rivals.

One insider said: "It was a very serious meeting, the one where we sort out who we have been watching and what we need. But nobody knows what the big boss plans to do."

Top of the shortlist is Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery, but Chelsea also want a goalkeeper, a centre-half, an attacking midfielder and possibly a striker.

The whole cost could be in the region of £100 million - and they do not know what Abramovich is willing to pay.