Andre Villas-Boas is battling to save his job at Chelsea. The Sun says there are already concerns among the players that he is taking the team backwards.

They are not convinced by his tactics or his ability to make the right decisions when things are going against them.

Villas-Boas, 34, was hired to mount a twin-pronged assault on the Champions League and Premier League.

But Chelsea are in danger of going out of the Champions League and trail Prem leaders Manchester City by 12 points.

It is the worst start the Blues have made to a season since Roman Abramovich took over in 2003. The word from the Chelsea hierarchy is Villas-Boas will be given more time, especially as owner Abramovich paid £13m to bring him in from Porto.

But Abramovich will not allow the decline carry on indefinitely.

A dressing room insider said: "It's at times like these that players look to the manager for strength and leadership but they don't see it coming from Villas-Boas.

"He is only 34 and perhaps the club are wondering if they made a mistake in bringing in such a young boss.

"There was a lot of respect for Ancelotti but there is not the same feeling for Villas-Boas at the moment."