Chelsea Sack Andre Villas-Boas

[termninja 5,290]

I was watching Revista today. There's a good analysis on Real Madrid & why they're successful now. "11 players with the same idea". This is how Mourinho's been setting up his squad for more than a year.

Gives us an indication of what needs to happen at Chelsea. Get 11 guys who share André's philosophy. I agree with some of our members when they say not everyone's buying into his style.

Indeed, but a good thing is that we only need a few players to make it work. Ramires, Luiz, Cole, Bosingwa, McEachran, Bertrand, Essien, Meireles, Mata, Torres, Sturridge, Anelka and Romeu are the players that will have no problems with it while Terry, Ivanovic, Alex, Lampard, Mikel, Kalou, Malouda and Drogba are for a different kind of football. We bring in a winger, creative mid and a CB and get rid of deadwood and we'll do fine.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Can't find the RDM thread, so i'll just post this here:

Andre Villas-Boas dismissed speculation surrounding Roberto Di Matteo's future following Saturday's win over Wolves, and the official Chelsea website spoke with the assistant afterwards to clarify matters.

Di Matteo joined the new manager's staff in June having represented the Blues as a player between 1996 and 2002, and is enjoying life back at Stamford Bridge.

'I don't know where the story has come from,' the Italian said. 'I am very happy here, very happy to work with Andre and the other technical staff.

'Andre and I have developed not only a professional partnership but over the months a friendship which will last forever. We have a strong friendship that we will keep. I think that says it all.

'I am committed to Chelsea. There were some enquiries about me and I was flattered but I politely declined because I am very happy where I am and want to be successful with this group and this club.'

Our next game sees Di Matteo reunited once more with Steve Clarke, a former team-mate who helped him settle on these shores 15 years ago, who has also enjoyed success as an assistant, not least under Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

'He was one of the senior players and was very good, but it wasn't just him. He was very calm and balanced, but we also had Wisey who was the opposite,' Di Matteo recalled. 'There was a very good team spirit and I think it helped the foreigners coming in, because there weren't many of us at first. They were very good helping us integrate into the culture, and the language.

'A lot of players from that team have become managers or coaches and I don't know why. When we were playing I wouldn't have said that all these guys would do it. Clarkey was here and went to West Ham before Liverpool and we've always been in touch a bit.

'We spoke briefly last week and he's good. There is a legacy when you play for many years together, travelling together and working together so it stays forever. I think he has integrity and has a very good knowledge of football. He is calm and had fantastic years at the club with Jose Mourinho.

'It's good that this club retains the services of some of its ex-players, everybody can see the club has continuity and a history which lives on with the people.'

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Can't find the RDM thread, so i'll just post this here:

That's great to know. It's always good to have one of Chelsea FC's own in the coaching staff.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

Indeed, but a good thing is that we only need a few players to make it work. Ramires, Luiz, Cole, Bosingwa, McEachran, Bertrand, Essien, Meireles, Mata, Torres, Sturridge, Anelka and Romeu are the players that will have no problems with it while Terry, Ivanovic, Alex, Lampard, Mikel, Kalou, Malouda and Drogba are for a different kind of football. We bring in a winger, creative mid and a CB and get rid of deadwood and we'll do fine.

exactly!!! although i'd rather anelka get his ass shipped to america and replace the dead weight with YOUNG UPCOMING PLAYERS!! not 27 year olds but 25 and younger so they will blend with our developing youth. AVB's stlye can work but lets face it only against the weaker teams does it look good. when man u and arsenal come along (teams that have great compsure on the ball) it fails dramatically. the only reason why barcelona do it so well is because of the intimidatiing factor that they carry, if we could carry out his philosophy to is greatest extent then we would finally return to our trophy winning days!!!

[zolayes 14,489]

Indeed, but a good thing is that we only need a few players to make it work. Ramires, Luiz, Cole, Bosingwa, McEachran, Bertrand, Essien, Meireles, Mata, Torres, Sturridge, Anelka and Romeu are the players that will have no problems with it while Terry, Ivanovic, Alex, Lampard, Mikel, Kalou, Malouda and Drogba are for a different kind of football. We bring in a winger, creative mid and a CB and get rid of deadwood and we'll do fine.

not sure why Ivo is in the group you've put him. Also I think Lamps is adaptable and his experience still valuable. agree with most that need to go.

and there are young players hungry to move up . Id like to see Piazon replace Malouda soon

[termninja 5,290]

not sure why Ivo is in the group you've put him. Also I think Lamps is adaptable and his experience still valuable. agree with most that need to go.

and there are young players hungry to move up . Id like to see Piazon replace Malouda soon

Cuz AVB prefers an explosive RB like Bosingwa, but yeah Ivo can do well also.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

André explains Lukaku & McEachran snub

Many Chelsea fans would like to see some of the club’s tyros, such as Romelu Lukaku and Josh McEachran, given a chance. Villas-Boas shook his head. “Lukaku is competing against three of the best strikers in the world [in Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Torres]. Lukaku’s looking good and strong and is a boy for the future. Josh’s time [on the pitch] is maybe not up to his expectation but it’s a question of them raising competitive levels.

“The philosophy is that. if young players survive in this environment with the best players in the world. they will be an amazing talent. And you have to tell me who is not at the top level?’’ Terry? “I don’t agree that JT’s form is bad.”

Torres? “I don’t agree.’’ Villas-Boas needs to understand Torres better, appreciating that the Spaniard needs to feel loved, to believe he is the No1 centre-forward. “No,’’ replied Villas-Boas. “The group is the most important thing. The guy I put on the pitch is my No1 centre-forward. Fernando has been that. Nico has been that. Didier has been that. Praising individuals by saying they’re the best in the world is not my style.” Pity. The team would benefit from a confident Torres.

So would Villas-Boas. The man at the Bridge seemed unperturbed by the maelstrom. “I sleep well.’’

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/8917156/Chelsea-owner-Roman-Abramovich-tells-players-that-Andre-Villas-Boas-is-here-to-stay.html

[Madmax 9,219]

André explains Lukaku & McEachran snub

http://www.telegraph...re-to-stay.html

I can understand Lukaku, but with Josh the point is that the manager initially denied him a loan move, saying that he will get sufficient time here. If what he's said now was his rationale all along, why the waste of 6 months of Josh's development?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

André explains Lukaku & McEachran snub

http://www.telegraph...re-to-stay.html

Murmurs of disquiet seep from under the dressing-room door, although whether this is the usual dissatisfaction of ignored squad members is unclear.

What idiot wrote this? The whole article is from AVB's press conference before the wolves match. But most of it has been taken out of context and rephrased to make the manager look bad. The author is trying so hard to wreck AVB's image, I almost feel sorry for him.

[Fulham Broadway 16,853]

A lot of fans will question his judgement if he plays Mikel tomorrow.

Tuesday could be a make or break day....depending on how the Russian views things

[eldo 868]

Any season that you go without a trophy is a failure for a club of this dimension. And yes, I think I will get time to evolve with this squad. I have that assurance. Talks with the club are always ongoing — and they have been fully supportive.

[manpe 10,861]

well that's reassuring.. where did he say that though?

[eldo 868]

well that's reassuring.. where did he say that though?

The Sun. :giggle:

[Krypt 241]

A lot of fans will question his judgement if he plays Mikel tomorrow.

Tuesday could be a make or break day....depending on how the Russian views things

Very True , its been a while since a final group game has ment so much. not 100% confident Valencia are playing well and Soloado is a handfull.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Very True , its been a while since a final group game has ment so much. not 100% confident Valencia are playing well and Soloado is a handfull.

I knew we were going to pay for that indifferent performance away at Genk. The chances that we missed were in excusable.

That late header in Germany didn't either, not to mention Kalou's hand ball .So I don't blame the manager for being in this position.

But I have faith the players will use their experience against Valencia.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

We will beat Valencia.

Juan Mata will make himself a hero-villain

[diskoviolente 425]

reading about AVB in the media it seems like they want him to get the sack. I hope he just hangs on just to prove everbody, especcially, the media wrong.

[termninja 5,290]

Wenger has sympathy for AVB

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/7349747/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter