• Premier League

AVB denies reports of furious Alex & Anelka blast

ESPN staff
December 9, 2011
Andre Villas-Boas: 'If the informant got paid please get the money back' © PA Photos
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Andre Villas-Boas has laughed off a report in the Sun suggesting he laid into individuals in a training-ground tirade witnessed by the entire squad.

The news story claimed he saved the most stinging attacks for Alex and Nicolas Anelka, both of whom are on the transfer list after asking to leave the club.

The blast is alleged to have taken place after Chelsea had been beaten by Bayer Leverkusen and twice by Liverpool - a period that saw Villas-Boas' authority questioned by the media.

And although Alex and Anelka are currently training separately from the first team - a situation that may change in future - Villas-Boas denies that events unfolded in the manner relayed by the newspaper.

"First of all there is a story that is completely wrong in yesterday's Sun - if the informant got paid please get the money back because it's completely wrong," he said. "These are players of top integrity, top human values and you respect them. The group misses their [Alex and Anelka's] relationship with us - but it was something we felt was for the benefit of the team. It can change [but] for the moment, it's not likely."

Blues veteran Frank Lampard has found himself in and out of the team this season, including for the crucial midweek victory over Valencia in the Champions League, but Villas-Boas maintains he has no desire to sell the England international. Questioned about the possibility of Lampard moving to LA Galaxy, Villas-Boas replied: "There is nothing from our side."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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