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Villas-Boas hoses down talk of Lampard rift

Frank Lampard has started in one of Chelsea's past four games © Getty Images

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Andre Villas-Boas has hit out at speculation surrounding the uncertain future of Frank Lampard at Chelsea, insisting the midfielder remains one of the club's key players.

Lampard fuelled rumours of a rift with the manager when he reportedly walked away from the bench whilst an unused substitute in Saturday's 4-1 win over Swansea City. But Villas-Boas stated his desire to see Lampard continue playing in the club's colours for the duration of his tenure, as he slammed "negative" talk regarding Lampard's reduced game time.

"I think I've answered that question enough," said Villas-Boas. "The fact that these players are 'changing' and that they are 'out' and then they are 'in' and, 'What is the problem with this player?' and, 'How is he going to react to a different situation?'

"I don't see things like that. We all see things in the dressing room as team objectives and collective objectives, nothing else.

"Frank is an established player, a top-quality player, he's one of the most important players for the club and will continue to be. He's an established player for Chelsea, for England, has nothing to prove to the football world.

"He's a spectacular team player, a spectacular professional, and he will continue to succeed at this club I think - and I hope - for the remainder of my years at this club."

Villas-Boas believes there is "nothing dramatic" in his refusal to confirm whether Lampard would be recalled for Chelsea's Champions League clash against Valencia at the Mestalla on Wednesday.

He said: "I just go on managing my team and the biggest challenge of the manager is having everybody motivated.

"Everybody wants to play, so everybody competes for a place. There's no mystique in this situation. It's the day-by-day life of management.''

Villas-Boas, who moved to Chelsea from FC Porto this summer, also refused to confirm whether squad rotation would remain a permanent part of life at Stamford Bridge.

"Chelsea has a fantastic record in the last eight years, with three Premier Leagues and three FA Cups. What we're managing in terms of the squad is to get a squad ready to challenge for the Premier League title.

"It cannot be discussible, three times in three days, the team selection. In the end [of the season], we have to discuss what has happened throughout the season and what the manager has done wrong or right."

Villas-Boas' mood was certainly not helped by the team being forced to change planes for their flight to Valencia, leading to a three-hour delay. But the Portuguese says his charges will make every effort against a team managed by good friend and fellow thirtysomething Unai Emery.

"I don't like being favourite in any games because that only implies big surprises in the end. Tomorrow's game will be extremely difficult because I know how difficult Valencia are.

"I'm very impressed by the way Valencia play football and the way Unai motivates his players. I hope that one day he can come to England and manage a team in the Premier League," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.