Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has claimed that there were "no strong words" with his players during a crisis meeting last weekend but has stated that he doesn't need his team to back him.

The Blues boss has come under pressure recently following a string of disappointing results in the Premier League, which has dumped the former English champions out of the top four.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made a number of visits to Cobham training ground, which has sparked fears that Villas-Boas could be nearing the end of his Blues career.

"We had no row," said Villas-Boas. "There was a meeting of technical staff and players, there was nothing dramatic. Everyone knows we need more, the results have not been impressive, it is up to the players and the management to take responsibility.

"[The players] don't have to back my project, only the owners have to back my project."

Reports emerged this week stating that former boss Jose Mourinho has been in regular contact with a number of senior players.

"It is normal," he added. "I have emotional attachment to players at Academica and Porto. I text them and they text back, it is normal. I have no problem [with Mourinho texting]."

Meanwhile, the London side are preparing to face Birmingham City in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.