Andre Villas-Boas

Chelsea Sign Andre Villas-Boas as Manager. What a wonderful signing for the plastic club. He is arguably the best young manager in the world when you consider what he achieved last season. He is the youngest manager to win a European Cup, 33, and he won a treble with Porto in his 1^st season. That is a wonderful achievement from a young, articulate man manager. He seems to be a humble man who believes in an collective team effort to achieve.

At 33, he certainly has the world at his disposal when you consider his talent, his financial backing and the players currently at his disposal. He is familiar with many of the players already of course, because he was part of the coaching staff at Chelsea when Jose “the special one” Mourinho was in charge of the plastic club.

Villas Boas is delighted to have taken the job, and I am sure he is delighted to have received a considerable salary increase too.

Villas-Boas places a lot of trust in his players, and allows them the freedom to enjoy their football. That is why he is well liked. He is a good man manager that makes his players believe in their potential.

"We are a technical staff that focuses a lot on unlocking potential. We are a technical staff that incentivises a lot of freedom of choice because in the end, when the players are on the pitch, they face different situations that they have to solve without the help of their manager.”

With a new manager comes change. Villas-Boas has stated that there shouldn’t be too much change: “There will be no radical changes. We need to absorb things, respect our winning past and try to focus on 2011/12 as a year when we can continue to win." But I am sure the Russian has other ideas though. He has a couple unhappy players in the dressing room, and an aging squad. There is plenty to consider for the future. If there isn’t a squad “freshening up”, then what happens when the Fifa fair play rules come in? Chelsea do not bring through young talent. So the Ashley Cole’s, John Terry’s and Lampards of their squad will need some English team mates. Sturridge will help, if he stays. 

I am sure Villas-Boas will address this, but who is to be shown the door? And who will follow the former Porto boss to Stanford bridge?

My guess is that the front line will be freshened up. I can see Malouda, Kalou, Anelka, and maybe even Benyoun being sold. That will open the door for Sturridge to stake a claim to partner El’Nino. Expect more dollars to be thrown around by the Russian dictator. Reports suggest a gruelling transfer battle for Brazilian wonder kid, Neymar, is unfolding. They are also keen on Belgian sensation, Romelu lukaku,17. The boy might be too young to be relied on, but a saucy talent for the future. I will not be surprised if Falcoa or Hulk follows Villas-Boas to Stanford Bridge too. Personally, I would attempt to sign Kun Aguero. Maradona’s son-in-law wants a change of scenery, and Champions League football, I am sure.. Abromovich is trying to build a Champion’s League winning team here, and clearly, money is no object if he paid 50 million for an unbelievably off form Torres. Re-uniting those 2 strikers could be deadly.... but what about Drogba?

Surely they need wide players if the above mentioned to leave?

There is clearly no shortage of potential for this young manager. I feel that he could be the best long term choice for an ambitious club. But how long will the soulless Russian give the Portuguese? Is this a little experiment? Or a Quick fix for the billionaire because he couldn’t get Guus Hiddink?

There is no soul to Chelsea, so I would not be surprised if Villas-Boas was sacked for starting slowly. But if I am wrong, and the Russian has a long term plan, and willing to be patient and let his new managing prodigy settle and find his feet, then Andre Villas-Boas is the right man for the job.