• Champions League

Villas-Boas hints at Chelsea overhaul

ESPN staff
February 20, 2012
Andre Villas-Boas is confident he still has the backing of Chelsea © Getty Images
Enlarge

Andre Villas-Boas has suggested there will be a major overhaul at Chelsea in the summer and again reiterated his belief that he has the unequivocal backing of owner Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea have hit a horrible run of form and the pressure is piling on Villas-Boas to arrest the slide. They are out of the Premier League title race and needed to rally from a goal down on Saturday to force a replay with Birmingham in the FA Cup.

The focus has shifted to the Champions League, a trophy Abramovich craves, with the Blues facing Napoli on Tuesday. Villas-Boas is still positive about mounting a push for honours this season, but suggested there is already one eye on next term and an overhaul of his squad.

"From the board, there is a clear indication that there is a change in the way we approach the projects of the future," Villas-Boas said. "There is big belief in what we are going to do next year, sending out a team that will hopefully bring us to the biggest amount of trophies that we can.

"I am really confident for next year but that doesn't take away responsibility for this year. We have started a three-year project to change not only the team but the culture and the structure of the club and there is a lot that we try to do. We are confident for the future but nevertheless we built a team to win trophies from the start and we are still confident we can do well in the Champions League and the FA Cup."

Turning to the speculation about his own future, Villas-Boas said: "The results that we are having, speculation is normal, based on the cultural past of this football club. But you have to understand that sometimes there is different perspective and that time is now.

"It is not up to me to respond, it is up to my superiors. With full confidence from the owners I will continue to do my job, which is this year and the next two."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close