Chelsea's senior players Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda likely to go in Andre Villas-Boas clearout Among those most under threat are Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda, with the Chelsea 'project" being undertaken by Villas-Boas representing a drive to reduce the average age of the squad and recruit players who are hungry for success. Lucas Moura, the 19-year-old Brazilian midfielder who is being coveted by several leading European clubs, represents the type of talent that Villas-Boas is targeting. The Portuguese has already started the process of changing the squad with the recruitment of the likes of Juan Mata and Oriol Romeu but it is thought he would need to dramatically accelerate that at the end of the season. The task will be made easier because several, older players are coming to the end of their contracts. Abramovich is also adamant that he wants a team that plays more attractive football and although he accepts this will take time to achieve - possibly the full three years of Villas-Boas's contract - he will not countenance the club failing to be competitive. Guus Hiddink's decision yesterday to accept the £8.3 million-a-year offer made to him to become the new manager of Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala has ended any hopes of the Dutchman taking over at Chelsea as an interim manager should Villas-Boas be sacked. Intriguingly, it's understood that Hiddink might have a July break-clause in his contract but there were also suggestions last night that Abramovich was unsure whether he still wanted the Dutchman . While Villas-Boas insisted on Thursday that he retained Abramovich's full confidence, he is aware that could change very quickly if results do not improve. Chelsea cannot afford to finish outside the top four of the Premier League and if there is a danger of that happening then it is likely that Abramovich will act. The likelihood is that the Chelsea owner would then employ a manager on a short-term deal until the summer and weigh up his options. That would undoubtedly limit the field of potential candidates, although one manager who has expressed an interest in Chelsea in the past - Rafael Benítez - remains available. Whether his style would fit what Abramovich is seeking is questionable. Villas-Boas has stated that it's "normal" that not all the Chelsea players buy into his methods and one source said yesterday everyone at the club had accepted this would be the case when he was appointed. "Older players want to stay as long as is possible and some know that will not now happen," he said. Abramovich held a series of meetings last week after spending several days at the training ground observing Villas-Boas in action and gauging the mood. His talks included discussions with the manager and technical director Michael Emenalo . He was also at the training ground last Sunday when a day off was cancelled for the players in the wake of the crushing 2-0 defeat to Everton, a result which led to serious questions being raised as to whether Villas-Boas would carry on. Those close to Abramovich have pointed out that this managerial appointment, as opposed to previous ones which were recommended, was taken solely by the owner and so he has even more of a vested interest in the 34 year-old succeeding. Villas-Boas is unlikely to risk captain John Terry for today's match, hoping the defender will make the Napoli tie as he recovers from his knee bruising, while Ashley Cole is also out with a calf problem which could mean a start for Ryan Bertrand.