• Premier League

'Group One' Villas-Boas to take time over new signings

New Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas will take his time before deciding what major additions need to be made to the first team squad.

At his official unveiling to the media on Wednesday, Villas-Boas deflected suggestions that players including Didier Drogba could be set to leave the club this summer - stating that he would welcome back every member of last season's squad for pre-season training before he makes any decisions about who will be sold.

The Portuguese will also take his time to identify players that can improve the playing staff, with targets including Neymar, Hulk and Luka Modric having previously been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

"I'm more than happy with the squad," Villas-Boas said. "It's nothing new that when a manager comes changes are expected. But bearing in mind the success the club has had in the last six or seven years, we have to adjust things carefully and make wise decisions.

"We have top quality players and I want them back as soon as possible. I'm counting on everyone coming in from last year and then we will make decisions. We have plenty of time in the market."

The pressure on the former Porto manager to win trophies will be there from the off, just as it has been for all his predecessors. Unlike Jose Mourinho, who famously proclaimed himself to be 'a Special One' during his first press conference at the club, Villas-Boas will work closely with players and staff and take on their advice in the pursuit of silverware.

"The title [nickname] I will wait for you guys to give me when I am successful," he said. "I hope to be successful and then you can decide.

Andre Villas-Boas was unveiled at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday © Getty Images

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"This is not a one-man show. This is about creating empathy and ambition in all of the people in this organisation. I will take it from there. Maybe I should be called 'the Group One'. I want to group people together to be successful."

After winning the league and Europa League during his last season in Portugal, Villas-Boas believes he is in a position to cope with the expectations that come with managing a club like Chelsea.

"The expectations of the club are the maximum," Villas-Boas noted, although he denied owner Roman Abramovich had set him any targets. "We have to win a certain amount of trophies and that's the challenge we face on a day-by-day-basis. I'm just one gear in this big club that wants to be successful every year.

"The challenge for me is to win something as soon as possible. It is no different from any other club."

At 33 years of age, Villas-Boas will be the youngest manager in the Premier League this season. But he is not concerned about facing one of the most experienced, Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson, in pursuit of the title.

"I want us to be up there from the beginning," he said. "It's not one man against another, but trying to build something that can make us powerful and able to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League."

There was news of one signing for Chelsea, however, as Villas-Boas confirmed former West Brom manager Roberto di Matteo will return to club he played for as part of his backroom staff.

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