By MATT BARLOW and NEIL ASHTON
Roman Abramovich is considering a shock move that would see Avram Grant return to Chelsea.
The Russian fears he has made a mistake bringing in Rafa Benitez and sees the re-appointment of Grant as an adviser to the Spaniard as a possible solution.
Benitez has been interim manager for only three games but is yet to win, and fans are fiercely against him.
After Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham, Abramovich spoke to senior Chelsea lieutenants about approaching the man he sacked after the 2008 Champions League final. Grant has been out of work since leaving Partizan Belgrade at the end of last season.
The Israeli is understood to have a good relationship with Benitez, which has encouraged Abramovich to think the pair could work in tandem.
The Chelsea owner has met fans and also been warned by his close circle of advisers that the appointment of Benitez could be turning into a disaster. Abramovich was appalled by his team’s performance in Benitez’s first game, a goalless draw against Manchester City, and made one of his personal visits to the training ground last Tuesday.
It is understood he was also at the training ground to visit Andriy Shevchenko, who was there to study for his coaching qualifications.
But Abramovich was keen to carry out his own investigation before last Wednesday’s game against Fulham, another goalless draw that left the Russian livid.
Abramovich refuses to entertain anything other than a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League as he continues his seduction of Pep Guardiola, and will stop at nothing to achieve it.
He is determined to jolt Chelsea back to winning ways and is not opposed to firing Benitez if he believes it is the only course of action to save the season. With Grant installed in a consultancy role, he will have a safe pair of hands ready to take over team affairs if it comes to this.
Fears are also circulating within the camp that players have not reacted well to last month’s sacking of Roberto Di Matteo and that there are communication problems with Benitez.
The interim manager insists on two team-talks, speaking English to the English speakers and Spanish to others, which caused confusion in the dressing room at West Ham.
It has also emerged that Abramovich invited seven Chelsea fans into his office at Stamford Bridge before the Manchester City game to discuss Benitez’s appointment. The meeting lasted around an hour.
The supporters told Abramovich that they appreciated his backing for the club but would continue to protest against the Spaniard.
Anti-Benitez banners were on display at Upton Park and fans sang: ‘Roman Abramovich, is this what you want?’ after Chelsea went behind. Benitez has told Abramovich the squad needs boosting in January.
He said: ‘The players know that if I am here it is because they were not at the level everyone was expecting.’
