Out with the old...
Villas-boas plans to bring in young team to resurrect Chelsea
LONDON: Andre Villas-boas will be allowed to clear out Chelsea’s “old guard” in the summer and replace them with, according to one wellplaced source, “a new young team”, if he survives this season.
Roman Abramovich is understood to be furious at Chelsea’s run of results and is demanding a dramatic turnaround.
The billionaire communicated his continued annoyance in a further round of discussions with advisers on Thursday.
Abramovich is believed to have already considered a change is inevitable.
However, the Russian billionaire’s anger is aimed at everyone at Chelsea – and not just the manager – after a run of results that has seen the club slip to fifth in the Premier League and struggle for form.
“He’s not happy with any coach who has lost games,” the source said.
”But he is not happy with the players either.
“Some players are supporting him (Villas-boas) but the old boys are on their way out.”
Among those most under threat are Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda, with the Chelsea “project” being undertaken by VillasBoas representing a drive to reduce the average age of the squad and recruit players who are hungry for success.
Lucas Moura, the 19-year-old Brazilian midfielder who is being coveted by several leading European clubs, represents the type of talent that Villas-boas is targeting.
The Portuguese has already started the process of changing the squad with the recruitment of the likes of Juan Mata and Oriol Romeu but it is thought he would need to dramatically accelerate that at the end of the season.
The task will be made easier because several, older players are coming to the end of their contracts.
Abramovich is also adamant that he wants a team that plays more attractive football and although he accepts this will take time to achieve – possibly the full three years of Villas-boas’ contract – he will not countenance the club failing to be competitive.
Those close to Abramovich have pointed out that this managerial appointment, as opposed to previous ones which were recommended, was taken solely by the owner and so he has even more of a vested interest in the 34 year-old succeeding. — The Daily Telegraph