In Defence of Andre Villas-Boas

Published February 28, 2012 | By James R Shaw

This weekend Villas-Boas played it safe. Restoring relics of the Mourinho era to the starting line-up, who, in the form of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, played a vital part in brushing a tame Bolton aside. Perhaps, in hindsight, this should have been something the 34 year old manager should have done from the start.

Since his arrival at Chelsea it is clear that AVB has tried to do too much. He was briefed when he took over from Ancelotti that he needed to re-build an ageing side – run by the Jurassic five of Petr Cech, John Terry, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and Dider Drogba.(Combined age: 155 Average age: 31.5) – but there is still mileage in class a fact that Avram Grant, Guus Hiddink and, to an extent, Carlo Ancelotti recognised.

Unfortunately for Ancelotti – who proved to be a vastly expensive quick fix – he came unstuck. In his first season at Chelsea the Italian walked into a dream team of players with the quality and experience to win a title. But in his second Chelsea’s golden backbone began to crumble. Their early season dominance evaporated as their fantastic five started to under-perform: Didier Drogba fell to malaria, John Terry to a knee injury,and Frank Lampard – who started a phenomenal 37 premiership games in the season previous – to a four month muscular leg injury. All of a sudden Chelsea looked aged.

Roman Abramovich knew this. He knew this in Mourinho’s third season: Lampard had peaked, Terry was nearing his peak, Drogba perhaps had one or two full seasons left at his best, not to mention the ageing talents of Richard Carvalho and Claude Makelele. Abramovich tried to address this to his own misfortune; he hired Frank Arnesen as a talent scout for this very reason. But his work failed to materialise. John Obi Mikel isn’t in the same league Claude Makelele or even Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou was never going to be as good as Arjen Robben (A Player Arnesen actually unearthed as PSV) Whereas the likes of Slobodan Rajkovic, Gokhan Tore and Jacopo Sala all failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge.

Even their flagship signatures have failed to deliver. David Luiz – although impressive going forward – lacks defensive quality and the less said about Fernando Torres the better. But perhaps things are starting to change: Juan Mata has been Chelsea’s more exciting player since Ajren Robben. While Ramires, Romolou Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Lucas Piazón, Oriol Romeu, Thibaut Courtois - if they are given a chance – will surely feature in AVB’s Chelsea revolution.

Unlike his predecessors Andre Villas Boas isn’t a quick fix. But before he undertakes his ‘revolution’ he must get the most out of Chelsea’s current stars – just like Ancelotti did two years ago – while he quietly works in his future plans. He will need unity and he will need luck but he can’t force the matter; and if he continues to do so the dressing room may turn and Roman’s hand may be forced. Which would be a massive disappointment.

Viva la revolution!

Football Banter

AVB’s record doesn’t look great when you look at all the other managers records though… http://www.football-banter.com/premier-league/chelsea-manager-stats-infographic-the-abramovich-years/
http://twitter.com/Jamesshaw8 James R. Shaw

I would argue that Villas-Boas wasn’t hired just for results. Even Big Phil – who was poor – did better than him going by results.

Roman has to give AVB a year. The only issue is that they must be in the Champions League next year..if not. Then he’s gone! ..