André Villas-Boas was always a gamble

André Villas-Boas has only been a manager since the 2009-2010 season, and now he's currently in charge of one of the biggest clubs in Europe. It was a huge gamble and whether or not it was successful, will be determined over the coming weeks.

A very good season in charge of Porto last year landed him the Chelsea manager's job. A huge gamble. Roman Abramovic only accepts success and has a history of sacking managers within a season or two of not winning anything. Scolari, Grant and Ancelotti are prime examples of this, and unless Abramovic has changed his ways, it must almost be time for André Villas-Boas to go.

Currently 3-1 down on aggregate to Napoli in the Champions League awaiting the second leg, and facing a replay against Championship side Birmingham in the FA Cup. If both these ties are lost, and with André Villas-Boas conceding the Premiership title not so long ago, it is almost certain that their is going to be a job vacancy as manager at Chelsea to finish off the rest of their dying season and start fresh for next.

On day one of the season they were serious title contenders, now they are struggling to get into the top four. It looked promising in August with Chelsea hopeful of Torres to be firing on all cylinders, the signings of Mata and Luiz to also help aid their attempt at glory. It's just not worked.

The price paid for André Villas-Boas' services is a talking point, "Why would Abramovic get rid of him when he paid £13.3 million to get him here in the first place?" A sentence many fans have said and also André Villas-Boas himself has also been quoted to have said this. But that figure is nothing like what was spent on a very under performing striker in Fernando Torres by Abramovic, he isn't afraid to splash the cash out, as we know.

If Chelsea beat Napoli, beat Birmingham and pick a few points up in the table, the pressure will be released. André Villas-Boas will be able to breath a little and try to progress further on. I'm sure winning the Champions League, FA Cup and finishing 3rd is an extremely good season to any Chelsea fan? It can still be done. However, the next few weeks are vital to André Villas-Boas and Chelsea's season.