NST Online: Sports

Football: Villas-Boas makes Champions League pledge

Posted: 18 Jul 2011 05:03 PM PDT

2011/07/19
Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my

National Under-23 coach Ong Kim Swee (left) is ready to give Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas a run for his money when their charges clash at the National Stadium on Thursday. — Picture by Yong Chee Choong

CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas, who faces the daunting task of providing the prize that club owner Roman Abramovich covets most, the Champions League, hopes to fulfil the wishes of his new team as soon as possible.

"Many teams try to win the title each year. The same teams have been consistently reaching the Champions League semi-finals of late," said Villas-Boas in Bandar Utama yesterday.

"Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea have been permanently in the semi-finals.

"It is tough in the crucial stages of the Champions League as anything can happen. But it has not happened well for Chelsea but there is no reason why we can't win it."

The 33-year-old was once an assistant to Jose Mourinho during his time at Stamford Bridge and knows of the massive burden of expectations on him.

Asked whether he was under tremendous pressure to guide Chelsea to titles, the Portuguese said it was nothing new in football.

"As a manager, I need to accept these challenges as it is part of football. I have to keep working hard to get my players to play their best football," he said.

Villas-Boas is in no rush to go into the transfer market though.

"There is no urgency to buy players for now. I will continue to evaluate my players and test them as I have good quality in my squad," said Villas-Boas, who refused to confirm whether Chelsea were putting in a bid for Tottenham Hotspur's Luka Modric.

Villas-Boas has created a positive impression in his first two weeks in charge, placing greater emphasis on ball work in training and pursuing a policy of dialogue and inclusion.

"Some players in my squad need to get their confidence back before the new season. The Asia Tour offers me the perfect avenue to see what my players can offer.

"My job is to find solutions in getting the right balance to ensure success. It is not about what I can offer to my players ...it is about what they can offer me.

"All these players are experienced and have won a lot in their careers," he added.

Villas-Boas said he will test all 26 players in Thursday's friendly against Malaysia.

"I will play different players in each half as I need to test all of them. I need to find the right blend and also look at my options.

"The 15-day pre-season Asia Tour is hectic but it allows me to test new things and also get to know the players better," he added.

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Football: Duo back new boss for Chelsea success

Posted: 18 Jul 2011 05:01 PM PDT

Football: Duo back new boss for Chelsea success

2011/07/19
Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my

ENGLAND international Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic are both confident Chelsea's new manager Andre Villas-Boas will lead the Blues to success when the English Premier League (EPL) season starts.

Lampard said Villas-Boas is the ideal man for the Chelsea job.

"His arrival is a fresh start for all of us. We are going through new training methods, different from last season. We are all enjoying our pre-season training," said Lampard yesterday.

"There is a lot of excitement in the squad with him as manager. I believe we will have a good outing in the coming season."

The 33-year-old said Villas-Boas' training methods are intense but effective.

"Everyone in the squad is focused on training. We are working hard to get prepared for the new season.

"Villas-Boas, of course, has new rules and regulations but it is normal for new managers to implement new things.

"It is also good that our new manager has promised not many changes in the squad. We are all motivated for the new challenge," added the attacking midfielder.

Lampard said his teammates will need to learn from last season's failure to turn the club's fortunes around in the new season.

"We need to keep focused and avoid the bad patches. We need to make sure we are ready for the challenge ahead as Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have all strengthened their teams," he added.

Ivanovic, a Serbian defender, said his teammates' confidence has got better since the arrival of Villas-Boas.

"We are discovering new things in training. He is a coach with many ideas. We have all responded well to his methods," said Ivanovic. "We should be able to absorb everything before the new season begins."

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Isnin, 18 Julai 2011