Chelsea 2011/12: 10 Changes Villas-Boas Will Make at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea entered a crisis midway through last season, which can now be seen as the silver lining to the cloud that was the 2010/11 season. This is due to a drastic change in Roman Abramovich's philosophy in the role of the Chelsea manager. 

That was what Carlo Ancelotti was, or at least most would assume was his role at Chelsea before his sacking in May. In fact, the Italian was merely the first team coach, a role deceitfully devised to somewhat prevent him from ever establishing autonomy in London, SW6. 

Ever since the acrimonious split between Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich, the Russian owner has attempted to paper over the cracks in search of silverware with his own warped strategy to interfere with football related decisions despite an obviously inferior knowledge to that of any coach the oligarch has employed in eight years.  

It worked to an extent when the Blues delivered the Premier League title in 2010 but the project soon grew stale and the Russian still does not have his precious Champions League, a competition that would seem to require innovation to be won.

An alternative method has been drawn up in search of this holy grail that continues to elude Chelsea and Andre Villas-Boas has been identified to lead the project. It all starts with his title, surprisingly as manager, which provides him with much more power and authority than his predecessors.

Truth being said, Ancelotti, as a first team coach, never quite had the bottle.

Perhaps that is a little harsh; let’s say the license to grasp complete command over footballing matters. It appeared that certain players maintained ultimate authority and that Ancelotti was never given the support required to discard these big names should it be to the benefit of Chelsea.

Now, though, all matters related to the team will be decided by the 33-year-old Portuguese, whether it be players signed, first team selection or even the most trivial things that can be so important.

Let’s take a look at the changes Chelsea can expect to experience during the initial stages of the Villas-Boas era.

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Exceptional Preparation

Andre Villas-Boas believes in an obsession to detail and considers it to be crucial to the success he has achieved in his short career. He was originally an opposition scout, and his habits from his former job have translated in to his managing, now run by opposition scout Daniel Sousa.

Chelsea often struggled last season with at set pieces, and this is unforgivable in the eyes of Villas-Boas, who insists that the Blues, with the help of his coaching team, can prepare for every eventuality.

Not only tactically, but physically also, Villas-Boas has already stamped his authority on the team by belatedly cancelling a long-since arranged friendly with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, a club Chelsea enjoy a superb relationship with.

Villas-Boas maintained the fixture, July 9, would arrive too soon after his inaugural assessment of the existing Chelsea squad, who he maintained would not be physically ready for to fulfil the obligation. The game will now be rearranged.

Social Responsibility

Villas-Boas has already affirmed his expectation that every Chelsea player is a social role model and that they should all behave accordingly. This is a swift change in policy as the club often distanced itself from demanding how players should behave socially, or at least they did publicly.

As John Terry and Ashley Cole were embroiled in separate scandals, the club appeared to accept players have their own private lives. Now the stance has shifted, and it would be a brave man to be the first to step out of line as the new manager outlines what is acceptable and what is not.

Villas-Boas is a great believer that if you apply yourself aptly off the pitch, you prepare yourself to achieve your potential on it. "We want them to triumph as persons, as social role models. When they do that, they triumph as players as well," he stated. 

No More Entourage

It is rumoured that many of Chelsea’s squad employ their own private staff, many of whom were present at the Cobham training ground last season.

When Villas-Boas was informed of this, he instantly moved to stop it from continuing. He believes that anybody who is not personally employed by Chelsea Football Club under his advice or blessing should not be present at the training ground.

The Portuguese is attempting to stamp out distractions and ensure the players can profit from every minute they are contractually obliged to spend at the training ground.

No More Mobile Phones During Physio Treatments

Another pet hate that Villas-Boas has become aware of since his arrival at Stamford Bridge is that the players are used to using their mobile phones during treatments.

This has now been banned as Villas-Boas maintains that each player must psychologically engage with the physio during each treatment, as it will allow the body to recover in the least time possible.

Any distractions also break down the relationship between the players and other members of staff.

Forget About Previous Triumphs

Chelsea players of the last few years have become accustomed to seeing photos of the club’s famous achievements of yesteryear with huge montages proudly pinned on the walls of the training ground.

Villas-Boas immediately ordered that they be taken down, as he is not interested in past glories and only wants players who are 100 percent focused on the challenges that lie ahead in the forthcoming season.

The Assistant Manager, Di Matteo, Will Actually Assist Villas-Boas

Villas-Boas has been allowed to personally select his assistant manager, choosing former Chelsea players and Blues legend Roberto Di Matteo.

The Swiss-born Italian has already begun a coaching career himself with impressive jobs at Milton Keynes Dons and West Bromwich Albion.

During which, he experimented with various tactics that he will be able to discuss with Villas-Boas, who is open to new ideas and views on his team.

A similar relationship was developed with Vitor Pereira and Daniel Sousa at Porto last season.

This was evidently not the case while Ray Wilkins was assistant manager.

The general consensus was that the former England international was a motivator who enhanced team morale, but had relatively little input on the training ground regarding tactics.

The same can be said of Michael Emenalo, who was not a hands-on coach and always looked like a peripheral figure next to Ancelotti.  

Big Names Such as Lampard, Terry, Drogba Are Not Immune to the Bench

There is no doubt that a key factor in Abramovich’s decision to appoint Villas-Boas ahead of Guus Hiddink was in part due to the assumption that the Dutchman would not offer any revolutionary ideas.

Also the fear was that, after developing a close relationship with many of the current squad during his spell as interim-coach in 2009, he would not be prepared to make the big decisions, such as dropping aging stars such as Frank Lampard, John Terry or Didier Drogba.

Villas-Boas has begun with great intent by insisting that nobody will be guaranteed a starting spot. This bodes well for Chelsea to be able to adapt tactically when necessary without carrying certain players to the detriment of the team.

Provide the the Attacking Players, Drogba, Torres and Co. with Freedom

Villas-Boas maintains the key behind his rampant attacking Porto side from last season was instilling the belief in the players that they should not subconsciously operate on the pitch without various demands of the coach in specific situations.

The ideology behind this is that by allowing the players, who are clearly of an exceptional talent, to think by themselves in certain areas of the pitch the movement will be more natural and replicated less.

As a result of this, the opposition become confused due to the fact that each attack under Villas-Boas can be different in his highly adaptable system.

Each player’s attacking arsenal then becomes more varied so the team can maintain its high scoring trait against different styles of teams.

Villas-Boas Will Become the Group One at Stamford Bridge

A rather shy and embarrassed Villas-Boas was asked at his first press conference if he considers himself to be the special one.

The modest Portuguese man answered brilliantly by declaring his only desire was to become a group one and forming a great unit capable of winning trophies.

Villas-Boas is already breaking down divides that have perhaps led to factions in the club recently.

During the first friendly of the season against Wycombe Wanderers, the new manager fielders to completely different teams in each half.

Nine youth or reserve players were mixed with established first team stars to further gel the side.

Assistant manager Roberto Di Matteo insists they have been impressed by the young talent, and many will be rewarded with places on the pre-season tour to Asia.

Abramovich Expects Villas-Boas to Win Now; He's Not Scared of That

Villas-Boas is bold in his assessment of what his boss expects of him.

One would expect the 33-year-old to be intimidated by the highest standards in sport that awaits him.

Abramovich and his advisors will scrutinise every move Villas-Boas makes, so the Portuguese knows he must impress immediately.

He is under no illusions that winning is everything at a club like Chelsea, and a trophy-less season is unacceptable.

“The expectations are for the maximum. We want to win trophies, that is the challenge from the first day,” Villas-Boas stated, a man seemingly relishing the golden opportunity to pull the strings at Chelsea in search of defining his legacy.

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