Despite being the biggest challengers to Manchester United in the title race this season, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti’s future certainly seems to be away from Stamford Bridge. However, he has at least received some support today with the news that former assistant Ray Wilkins still thinks that he is the right man for the job.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Wilkins insisted that Chelsea weren’t far away from success and big changes weren’t necessary: “I don’t think it needs a radical change… but they certainly need new players to freshen the place up.

“Wholesale changes, starting from the coach, would be the wrong way to go.”

Wilkins of course is no stranger to the Blues, having been the club’s assistant for two years until being sacked last November. Having also spent considerable time as a player there, it would be fair to say that he knows the club pretty well.

However, while Wilkins knows Chelsea better than most, his suggestions seem likely to fall on deaf ears at Stamford Bridge. The club’s executives have hardly rallied around Ancelotti this season with one hinting a few months ago that the Italian’s position will be analysed at the end of the season. With Chelsea failing to land any silverware this campaign, it is widely though that this analysis will result in the former Milan boss being forced to clear his desk.

Speculation is already rife that Chelsea chiefs have been searching far and wide for his successor. The biggest rumour appears to be a return to Stamford Bridge for Guus Hiddink, who enjoyed a brief spell in charge of the club in 2009. However, with Roman Abramovich’s millions the Blues could virtually have anyone they like and while Ancelotti has proved a popular figure and has come within touching distance of success, it looks more and more likely that his rein is set to come to an end.