Roman Abramovich will keep manager, Antonio Conte at Chelsea even if he fails to secure Champions League place for next season, but on the condition that the Italian stops questioning the club’s transfer policy.

Chelsea are currently in fifth position in the Premier League, five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with nine games remaining.

The Bluse also face a difficult task in the Champions League after their 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Stamford Bridge.

Conte will still have one year remaining on his contract with Chelsea this summer.

Reports have suggested that the club will sack the Italian at the end of the season.

However, a source at Stamford Bridge told The Sun that Abramovich is willing to keep Conte at the club if he stops questioning the club’s transfer policy.

In recent months, Conte has been keen to stress that he plays little part in selecting Chelsea’s transfer targets and was unhappy with the failure to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal and Virgil van Dijk from West Brom.

The former Juventus manager also caused friction with Chelsea’s hierarchy over his handling of Diego Costa’s exit last summer.

The source said, “These days Roman wants to give his managers every opportunity.

“The stress point could be if Antonio starts complaining again. People are growing weary of it all.”