Gianfranco Zola believes that Andre Villas-Boas is doing the "right thing" for Chelsea but that the ex-Porto boss needs time to implement his new attacking style.
The Blues have lost four of their last seven matches, including two defeats to Liverpool as well as a 5-3 thrashing courtesy of Arsenal in the Premier League.
"Andre Villas-Boas is under pressure," Zola told talkSPORT. "I'm sorry for him and I'm sorry for the club. What Chelsea are trying to do this year is change the style they have played for years. They are trying to go from a more defensive style of football to an offensive one, and that transition is never easy.
"I believe that this is the right thing. The fans want to see a different type of football. They have been very successful in the last ten years and they want to try and be successful going forward.
"It takes time. Playing a more attacking way is much more difficult but, when you get it right, you get a lot of satisfaction. so I really hope they succeed."
The Blues' next match is away to Newcastle United on Saturday.
