Andre Villas-Boas: Chelsea Manager's Future Uncertain After Player's Row

The short flight back from Liverpool last Saturday was a miserable one to say the least for a Chelsea side that were handled by Everton in a 2-0 defeat. The loss, the latest in a league winless streak that is now at four games, drops them to fifth in the table and out of the last Champions League spot.

However, the flight was made even more tense as Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas announced that the scheduled day off the players had for Monday was being cancelled and all were to report to Cobham for regular training.

Ahead of a week that will feature two pivotal games in four days, I am sure the players wanted nothing more than to spend a day with their families and desensitize themselves to the struggles that have been going through.

But that would not be the case.

As they showed up to Cobham they were met by their hands-on owner Roman Abramovich, who ordered a meeting between the manager and the players with him present.

In a reprise of his earlier tyrant behavior that saw the exits of both Alex and Nicolas Anelka, Villas-Boas laid into his players for their faults. This time, however, the players were giving it back to the boss just as well, The Guardian reports.

Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry are all said to have been involved in this back-and-forth, but it seems that they are leaders speaking on behalf of a majority of the group.

The Sun reports that: “Only David Luiz, Ramires and Jose Bosingwa are understood to be fully behind AVB as the Blues struggle.” Fitting since these three players are the three who have benefited most from the Portuguese’s arrival.

Furthermore, a source close the team had this to say to The Sun:

"

The players stuck with AVB until the New Year because they realise he was under orders to change things. But his plans are obviously not working, the atmosphere in the dressing room is tense, and more and more players are beginning to wonder if he's the right man for the job.

It's reached a stage where many of them don't care whether he's there or not. No one foresaw this situation—but the results simply aren't there and he's suffering because of them.

"

I have by no means been a fan of Viilas-Boas or his tactics, but for months now I have contended that his job is safe as long as his players remain content. This seems to be fading and fading quickly.

The only thing that differs between this situation and that of Luiz Felipe Scolari is their relationship with the players.

Scolari got off a rough start in his Chelsea career. By mid-winter the team had dropped out of the top two and players were starting to voice their dissatisfaction with the manager. After a 0-0 draw with Hull, Scolari was let go, much to the joy of the team.

At almost the exact same calendar date, Villas-Boas finds himself in a similar spot, except in an even lower league position and with a team that is playing some of the worst football I have ever seen from this club.

Take the financial considerations out of the equation for a moment (we all know that is the real reason Abramovich will not make a change). Can you as a fan of this club honestly defend Villas-Boas and make a case that he deserves more time, when we have all been so quick to dismiss those of the past?

I know the defense that is coming already: “He is rebuilding the club and transitioning to a new style.”

While at this level of the game I do not believe “rebuilding” is a reality (you can read many of my articles that discuss this), you are still missing the real problem with the manager. Even if he gets the players he wants, he will not change.

A meeting point for all Chelsea fans this season has been around the stubbornness Villas-Boas has had in his approach to the game. He refuses to try different formations or adapt his game to the opponent he is facing.

This is the real problem—his attitude will never allow him to overcome adversity.

ESPN’s football columnist David Hirshey discusses this in a recent article:

"

AVB has only his stubbornness to blame for his predicament. A choice of Torres or a blind uniped up top would be debatable, but selecting the Iberian no-hoper to spearhead the Chelsea attack over Sturridge is an act of Jobsian obduracy.

His formations change with glacial frequency. His loyalty to Portuguese countrymen like Jose Bosingwa and Raul Meireles is culturally admirable but the height of tactical cluelessness. And why Sideshow Luiz is ever permitted to touch the ball within his own half is a question that only large dogs and small children can answer.

"

The writer, an Arsenal fanatic at heart, knows a little something about what it means to “rebuild” a club as this article is a rare departure from his usual harsh criticism of the great reformer up north at the Emirates.

But it is also indicative of a problem that lies much deeper than simply not having the right players for a system he prefers.

Sir Alex Ferguson has adapted his game over the 25 years as players have come and gone at Manchester United, but always remained competitive.

Pep Guardiola had a contentious relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but was still able to put the striker in a position to help with 35 points in 44 appearances.

And Jose Mourinho has won European titles with two different clubs and trophies in four different leagues.

When Villas-Boas was brought into Chelsea, we were told he belonged in a category with these names. He may one day, but right now his attitude is holding him back.

He can get rid of the trouble makers and he can bring in raw young talent, but this side of him will not change with that alone. All moves like that will do is reinforce his egoism and make it even more difficult to break.