ANDRE Villas-Boas faces a dressing room rebellion if Chelsea fail to secure silverware this season.

Despite a refusal to write off his debut season at Stamford Bridge as ‘transitional’, the Blues boss is understood to have the support of the club hierarchy as he remodels the side as a younger, more attacking outfit.

But there have been signs this week that even though there is support from those above the Portuguese coach, the players have made it clear they will not stand for a trophy-less season.

Brazilian midfielder Ramires set out his stall, saying: "The minimum for Chelsea is have at least one trophy this season, but we’re going to be working on all three."

French winger Florent Malouda added: "When you sign for the club, it doesn’t matter who the players or manager are, all you expect is to win trophies.

"There is a mentality here. I think that’s what the fans expect from us as well.

"We should not look at all the changes as an excuse, we must contend to win trophies year after year."

Chelsea are out of the League Cup and also, according to Villas-Boas, fighting for fourth spot in the Premier League.

They have so far struggled in the Champions League and potentially face an FA Cup fourth-round trip to neighbours QPR – where they suffered a costly defeat in October.

Tomorrow (Saturday) they welcome Sunderland to Stamford Bridge. Villas-Boas and his team will be buoyed by the knowledge it was two years ago this weekend that a Chelsea side failing to keep up with the league leaders kicked off a revival with a 7-2 home win against the Black Cats.

The Blues went on to win the double that season.

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