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Premier League: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich meets with board to discuss champion's poor season
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The Chelsea hierarchy have met in the last 24 hours to discuss the future of the club following their ninth Premier League defeat of the season on Monday.
The Blues slumped to a 2-1 defeat to league leaders Chelsea earlier this week, to leave the defending champions just a point above the relegation places.
Owner Roman Abramovich was present as he and the rest of the board discussed the club's current position, with the future of manager Jose Mourinho looking more and more uncertain.
Contrary to reports however, there has been no 'emergency meeting' held on Wednesday.
With their title defense already over, and Mourinho confessing that reaching the top four was also out of the question, the club have a big decision to make over whether they keep their faith in the 52 year old.
Abramovich gave Mourinho his public backing back in October, which for an owner who is notoriously quick on the managerial trigger finger, was a first.
Mourinho's past success with the club in his two spells, in which he has won three Premier League titles, is probably the only reason he hasn't gone already. However, the ease with which his side clinched the title last season only compounds the club's utter collapse since May.
None of his star players from last season have been anywhere near their best this campaign, with PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard, who incidentally was taken off injured on Monday, yet to score in the Premier League this season.
Mourinho accused some of his players of 'betraying his work' following their latest defeat, and midfielder Cesc Fabregas has said this week that 'big players' on 'big wages' need to start playing like it.
Should Mourinho still be in charge by the weekend, he will need a big result against Sunderland, who are managed by his old adversary Sam Allardyce.
If Big Sam's men can become the latest side to upset the champions however, the 'Special One's position at Stamford Bridge would become untenable.