• Premier League

Villas-Boas shrugs off Inter link

ESPN staff
February 22, 2012
Andre Villas-Boas saw his Chelsea side beaten 3-1 by Napoli on Tuesday © PA Photos
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Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has quashed speculation linking him with a move to Inter Milan by hailing the work of Claudio Ranieri, boss of the Serie A giants.

Villas-Boas is reportedly under serious pressure to deliver results at Chelsea, having not recorded a victory in five games. The Blues suffered a 3-1 Champions League defeat against Napoli on Tuesday, which has only increased the scrutiny on his position.

With Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich notoriously trigger-happy, there is a feeling that Villas-Boas could soon lose his job at Stamford Bridge - and walk into a role with Inter, who are battling through a similarly difficult patch.

The Nerazzurri have slipped 14 points off the title pace after losing four of their last five Serie A games, and currently lie seventh in the table - leaving Ranieri facing a battle to hold onto his post. And Villas-Boas has ruled out the prospect of succeeding the Italian.

"I have the utmost respect for the work of Ranieri, who is experiencing a situation of change at Inter similar to ours," Villas-Boas told Mediaset Premium.

"I think we both will continue to work with our current team, to believe in our work and try to get results. The market rumours are part of football, but I want to build Chelsea's future and I'm working on that. The results are not positive, but we must look forward."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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