Chelsea Confirm Andre Villas-Boas As New Coach

Graeme Souness, the former Liverpool and Blackburn manager, calls it a big gamble. Roy Wilkins, Chelsea’s former Assistant Manager, calls it as a step in the right direction. Introducing Andre Villas-Boas, Roman Abramovich’s seventh managerial appointment since his taking over the club.

Porto’s coach till the end of last season, he presently holds a truly amazing record. He is the youngest ever winner of a European competition as a coach, at the age of 33. By winning the Europa League with Porto, he wrote his name into history books. The club won the league at a canter, romping home with a gap of more than 25 points over its nearest rivals and remaining unbeaten all season. They also won the Portuguese FA Cup, thus completing the ‘Treble’.

Here is a coach of the Jose Mourinho mould. Villas-Boas served under Mourinho for quite some time at Chelsea and Inter Milan as an Opposition Scout. I found one of his pre-match opposition reports on the internet on Newcastle United before a league game and it was more exhaustive than anyone could imagine. This just shows his meticulous planning and ability to read the game.

Much like Mourinho, his teams are a tough nut to crack at home. Mourinho hadn’t lost a home game for about 8 years … trust Villas-Boas to do the same. He also possesses excellent man – management skills and has made world-class players out of Radomir Falcao and Hulk, relatively unknown quantities till about 2 years back.

But the question here is – Is he the right man for the Chelsea hot seat?

His appointment can be seen as another move by the owner for the two things he really craves for attractive “tiki – taka” football and the “The Holy Grail” i.e.  the UEFA Champions League. Six of Villas-Boas’ predecessors may have tried and partially succeeded at the 1st wish, but the ‘’big -eared ’’ European trophy still remains elusive.

What will Villas-Boas bring to the table that his predecessors could not? To be frank, nothing new, except maybe a new youthful vigour and presence on the touchline. All of his predecessors were accomplished managers who probably had achieved more than he has and also had tons of experience. But to achieve what he has done at this young age is exemplary too!!

Firstly, he would have to sort out the team composition and shape. The players would be well rehearsed with the midfield-diamond formation that Ancelotti employed for the major part of his reign. Villas-Boas, who’s preferred formation is the 4-2-3-1 would need to mould the players in his way, this is where a good pre – season would count.

The club also has a lot of ageing legs, players who are well past their prime. Villas-Boas would surely have the money to spend and should try to phase out these players for new recruits. Rumours are abuzz that he’s poaching for new recruits from his old club, Porto, itself.

Having served under Mourinho at Chelsea, he would be well-versed with the demands and physicality of the English game. So, the problem of adaptation shouldn’t necessarily arise.

Anyway, the bets are already out on how long he’ll be staying at the club. It would be safe to say that Sir Alex Ferguson would still be incharge at Old Trafford as and when Villas-Boas moves on.

Tags: Andre Villas Boas, Blues, Champions League, Chelsea, Coach, EPL, Premier League, Roman Abramovich, Stamford Bridge