• Premier League

AVB blasts Ballack's barbs

ESPN staff
November 25, 2011
Michael Ballack joined Bayer Leverkusen after leaving Chelsea © Getty Images
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Andre Villas-Boas has hit back at comments made by former Chelsea player Michael Ballack in the wake of the Blues' 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in midweek.

Leverkusen midfielder Ballack said in the aftermath of his side's win that "they [Chelsea] were not as strong as they normally are. Even when they were 1-0 up we could sense that they didn't have the strength mentally that they normally have. We felt that on the pitch."

Villas-Boas has come under pressure given his side's recent slump in form, which has seen them lose four of the last seven matches in all competitions. But he insists he retains the support of owner Roman Abramovich, and has come out fighting in the face of Ballack's barbs.

The Portuguese manager said: "Michael is always very self-opinionated. I disagree with him. He doesn't live in this dressing room. He used to live here before and he didn't solve all the problems before."

Reports have emerged this week of heated behind-the-scenes meetings at Chelsea as the players and backroom staff try to get to the bottom of their poor run. However, Villas-Boas says that such suggestions are well wide of the mark, and that the only missing ingredient is confidence.

"Not critical meetings, no animosity, not insults here and there, no critique whatsoever regarding what we are doing, no doubts whatsoever regarding what we are doing," he said. "Self-confidence and self-belief is what we need now and everybody wants to get it. That thing only comes with wins."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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