Abramovich summons Villas-Boas, Chelsea players for crisis meeting

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich held a crisis meeting with manager Andre Villas-Boas and the first-team squad at the club's Cobham training ground in Surrey on Sunday.

This meeting came after Chelsea lost 2-0 to Everton on Saturday at Goodison Park and with fears growing that their season is unscrambling.

Chelsea players were pulled for their poor performances lately and their scheduled day off was also cancelled, with the London based club tottering at 5th place in the League table.

Abramovich has ordered a series of meetings after getting anxious whether Chelsea would qualify for the Champions League next season.

Chelsea has never failed to qualify for the Champions League since Abramovich took over the club.

The pressure has risen dramatically on Villas-Boas, whose own position would now appear under threat for the first time, since he was appointed following a run of just two victories in their last 10 league matches.

Villas-Boas said the Champions League spot is very crucial for the club now.

"Of course. Of course. Of course. We need Champions League qualification and that's what we expect. The objective is first place but first place is not a real objective any more - and neither is second."

"So Champions League qualification is the least you can ask for," The Telegraph quoted Villas-Boas, as saying.

Abramovich is expected to tolerate only a top four finish this year as long as Chelsea shows signs of progressing under Villas-Boas. (ANI)