Andre Villas-Boas has hit back at managerial rival Sir
Alex Ferguson and claimed that he has total faith in his squad's
ability to challenge for honours.
Following Ferguson's public declaration that Chelsea fans would
be concerned with Villas-Boas' inability to add any major signings
in an attempt to rejuvenate his squad - while highlighting their
'experience' - the new Chelsea boss shrugged off the criticism and
backed his side to succeed.
Speaking after his side's 4-0 victory over Thailand All Stars,
Villas-Boas said: "These players still have a lot to offer. Just
look at the trophies they have won and how successful they have
been.
"Chelsea are the second or third oldest team in the Premier
League and I must respect the recovery periods of the older
players. So I must find the correct balance between experience and
youth and find out what kind of game we can play."
Given Chelsea's recent signing of Barcelona youngster Oriol
Romeu and the continued emergence of Josh McEachran, Villas-Boas
may yet develop a new-look side.
A key figure from the more youthful side of Chelsea's squad will
be McEachran, who his part in the moment of the game against the
All Stars. The youngster exchanged a slick one-two for Branislav
Ivanovic to score, and Villas-Boas is clearly impressed.
"Josh offers this flexibility, he's an amazing British talent
for the future and can go on a run and get plenty of experience in
the Premier League," said the Portuguese. "Josh has to show he is
competitive and perform with the others. We need the collective to
perform.
"Choices will be made according to form and injuries - there
will be plenty of opportunities for everybody. It's all in his
brain. He anticipates problems, his speed of thought. He has this
kind of capacity, to anticipate things."