Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich faces a players' revolt if he persists with manager Avram Grant next season, it has been revealed.

The Mail on Sunday says a Chelsea win over Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final, the first leg of which is at Anfield on Tuesday, followed by victory in the final in Abramovich's home city of Moscow would make Grant bulletproof in the eyes of the billionaire, whose priority is European glory.

If that happens and Abramovich retains Grant in his current role, key players such as Real Madrid target Michael Essien are likely to join Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard on the list of those heading for the exit this summer, while the discontent among those who stay will deepen.

Some agents have suggested that their clients will seek a move if Grant, and his similarly unpopular assistant Henk ten Cate, stay in charge.

A well-placed source said: "The players are just not having Grant, and the same goes for some of the staff."

Michael Ballack is also believed to be considering his position and although Tal Ben Haim is the only Chelsea player so far to go public with his displeasure at working under Grant, many in the squad are still unconvinced of the Israeli's manager's abilities.