Jose Mourinho's future at Stamford Bridge is coming under increasing scrutiny with Roman Abramovich expecting an immediate improvement in Chelsea's results.

Nothing has been said directly to Mourinho by Abramovich - that is not the Russian billionaire's style - but the Chelsea owner is understood to have grown annoyed at how his team have performed this season.

Unsurprisingly Guus Hiddink, currently the coach of the Russian national team, was again linked to taking over at Chelsea yesterday. The Dutchman would be the outstanding candidate to succeed Mourinho and, significantly, once more gave an interview in which he talked up his friendship with Abramovich.