Chelsea and Man City face pressure to pull out ESL after unease over signing up

Chelsea and Manchester City appear to hold the greatest hopes of derailing the controversial European Super League, with club bosses believed to be 'losing their nerve' amid mounting pressure from fans and Government.

Six teams from the Premier League, including Chelsea and Man City, signed up to the breakaway competition over the weekend as part of 12 founding teams.

Sportsmail's Oliver Holt suggested overnight, following a wave of criticism from supporters and senior Government figures, that two English teams were 'wavering' in their commitment to the breakaway.

Chelsea and Manchester City are believed to be the least committed of the six English teams and pressure is continuing to increase for them to make a statement of intent by walking away.

Complications could arise, however, after Real Madrid president, and the chairman of the European Super League, Florentino Perez insists the 12 clubs who signed up have agreed to a 'binding' contract that prevents them from reneging on their decision.

'The contract of the Super League is binding. Nobody can leave, we will work all together,' Perez told Spanish television show El Chiringuito on Monday night.

'All the clubs signed the contracts last Saturday, there's no problem,' he added, when asked about potential for backtrack amid the criticism.

Manchester City fans made the feelings known on Monday night as they produced banners outside the Etihad Stadium to protest their involvement in the new competition.

'RIP MCFC', one read, while another called on owner Sheikh Mansour to 'sort it out' and pull them out of the Super League.

Musician Liam Gallagher, who is a vocal and prominent Man City fan, tweeted: 'C’mon MCFC do the rite thing f*** it off we’re better than this as we were.'

Chelsea fans are expected to produce a similar show of unity with banners of their own outside Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night ahead of their Premier League match against Brighton.

More to follow.