Defending Villas-Boas

[manpe 10,861]

People still think that managers are the main negotiators? AVB can say whatever he wants, but it's up to the suit-wearing businessmen to clinch deals. I definitely have a feeling that AVB presented the board with his targets, because he's hinted it in his interviews (saying there MAY be additions), but it's not up to him to get the signature on paper. With the overtake of sheikhs and other multibillionaires, it has become harder and harder for Chelsea to remain a dominant side in the transfer market as it was some years ago.

[DavidEU 2,023]

when it is obvious Gourlay should be back at Cobham leading negotiations with other clubs, not selling more shirts.

The business that ultimately funds the signings? Gourlay does a decent job on the commercial side, and without that, I doubt Roman would keep opening his wallet up. However, I do think the commercial and the football side of a football club shouldn't be run by the same person.

[Styles 9,790]

Of course he has a say, but a limited one. AVB himself reportedly left his negotiations to the negotiators, like Mourinho always has done.

And as for our director of football, that prestigious role has been delegated to another person half-way around the world; Emenalo.

Yeah that's what is happening and it's how it should work. The manager picks his targets (Modric for instance) and the club tries to buy them at a reasonable price. I'm glad we aren't paying crazy money for Modric and to be honest I doubt we're even interested in Pastore as all the noise is being made by that nutter of a chairman.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

The business that ultimately funds the signings? Gourlay does a decent job on the commercial side, and without that, I doubt Roman would keep opening his wallet up. However, I do think the commercial and the football side of a football club shouldn't be run by the same person.

I'm not criticising Gourlay for his commercial work, I'm just saying the shirts will sell whether Ron is there or not As for his dual roles, Gourlay has always been a marketing man and one thing that strikes me is that he more of a business mind than a football mind. Obviously he is meant to be, but Kenyon struck me as someone who was very much so clued-up on the game. Emenalo is supposed to have a lot of influence in his role as DoF, but I don't think anyone really knows what sort of role he really plays.

[Styles 9,790]

The business that ultimately funds the signings? Gourlay does a decent job on the commercial side, and without that, I doubt Roman would keep opening his wallet up. However, I do think the commercial and the football side of a football club shouldn't be run by the same person.

Gourlay is Kenyon-lite so maybe he has the capacity to do both positions to a good standard?

You have to say he has done a terrific job with this tour of Asia. The club is very well supported over there and with this commitment of going there every so often our fanbase will continue to grow.

[eldo 868]

Why? Because people need scapegoats.

[Clevemayer 764]

can this be true? the season didn't even start and wir talking about defending Villas-Boas

[Beast 85]

Why? Because people need scapegoats.

I thought Kalou occupied that role?

[SeB 1,281]

It has become common to ask everything immediately, not giving time. We can't say that the team does not need changes, but I personnaly think that change is underway with the venue of Villas Boas. For me he is the 1st signing of the summer, and definitely the most important because of his ideas and his coaching methods

The team has not lost as much quality and quantity as last summer, I think the contrary that the squad has been renforced because Benayoun was unused last year, Torres was first of all a turnover possibility before a real offensive option, and we have Sturridge coming from an excellent loan spell at Bolton, Josh which every opportunity to show him was taken by him, we have also Bertrand.

Zhirkov (who wasn't Ancelotti's signing contrary as Ramires by example even if he wasn't entirely his decision, he gave his approval because King Carlo was a fan of Rambo) is given a new chance, he was only regarded as a fallback because of the injuries of other players... And now we have a backup of Mikel, Romeu who isn't a complete stranger, he played in probably the best reserve system in the world and he is 19...

And the most important thing is Villas Boas skills, what he can do with a squad in terms of psychological management, bringing fresh ideas.

By example during the pre-seasons games, Anelka and Malouda were disciplined on their wing. Under Carlo's tenure, he gave free license to his offensive players to interchange during games... And now Villas Boas wants to work with real wingers, and when I see Anelka, a 32 years old during probably his last season in Europe being as disciplined as if he had to prove himself ; when I see Villas Boas get worked up for a single shit choice by Anelka (a poor diagonal ball against Malaysia) in a pre season game... These are small details but that's what makes difference.

The team needs concrete refreshment by means of new recruits, but I personally think that a big part of the revival of the squad is some mental refreshement. That's why Villas Boas (even if he is maybe the second choice behind Hiddink) was chosen. But these things dont make themselves in 3 weeks, it needs time !

I personally think this topic as Pastore's is gonna be very funny next year, I'm not as pessimistic as some other people on this forum, I think we can achieve great things with this squad and thanks to Villas Boas' methods.

[Randall 315]

Okay fair enough but if he has limited say then why doesn't he say that, he is always talking about transfers and evaluating if he doesn't have a say then say it's out of my hands or something. What's annoying me more is his apathy toward our need for new players, he is probably just being diplomatic but I can't be fucked with another manager who flirts around the point like Ancelotti who was always saying "the squad is good enough", "we are in a bad moment" I don't want that shit again.

[Henri 115]

How about you all calm down!. Boas will find the players we need and he wants, for god sack

have some fucking patience!.

[J.F. 1,484]

we still need fucking WINGER!

[Beast 85]

we still need fucking WINGER!

Also, a Playmaker and a proper Striker. Heck, throw in a right back aswell.

[SeB 1,281]

Okay fair enough but if he has limited say then why doesn't he say that, he is always talking about transfers and evaluating if he doesn't have a say then say it's out of my hands or something. What's annoying me more is his apathy toward our need for new players, he is probably just being diplomatic but I can't be fucked with another manager who flirts around the point like Ancelotti who was always saying "the squad is good enough", "we are in a bad moment" I don't want that shit again.

Although I respected a lot Ancelotti, his comminication was horrible... Villas Boas' is much better. The only thing he said about the transfert marker is that the midfield needs to be strenghten after the Pompey game. That's why he pressed in order to get the player he already wanted in Porto, a player with a clearly first team status because of where he comes from

He is able to give a revival to some players, he has also the luck to have players such as Josh or Sturridge who are incredibly (Incredible ) talented and motivated so he has just to put them in the best conditions because they already full of energy and envy.

Sturridge is the main addition to the squad because of his versatility and his talent, there is no need of putting Pastore by example in the same place than him (behind the striker or on the wing).

Chelsea is scanning the market, of course Gourlay is more worried by his naming project or as people said, in selling shirts... But I find Villas Boas very pragmatic. For several reasons it would be stupid to be spendthrift because of the economical situation of the club and with the potential of the young players really emerging now (not as during Carlo's tenure, he said yes to Arnesen's decision to put youngsters in place of Deco, Ballack, Carvalho... whereas he had no intention of playing young players...). Villas Boas seems to give the opportunity to every player, young/old when they can bring something to the team, it's not as Carlo did, even with dead-ends he did not play young players (against Sunderland by example)

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

I'm just gonna quote my post in Pastore thread :

Maybe this is even a good thing. It could show us that AVB is in charge now and he is running our transfer policy. Roman doesn't buy players that he thinks we need no matter the price. So, Pastore at 42M - I'm not disappointed as long as we find someone cheaper and better.

KTF in Andre