Chelsea: An Analysis of What Can Be Expected of André Villas-Boas

Chelsea’s trophy-less season has led to much critique of the London clubs’ aging squad. Although the Stamford Bridge outfit was never revered for playing beautiful football, owner Roman Abramovic has decided that it is time to inject a new lease of life into his depleted squad.

The rumour mill that comes hand in hand with the transfer market has been linking the London club with a wealth of the world’s finest footballing talent, not the least of which are the likes of Sergio Aguero and Neymar.

With so much speculation surrounding the club's transfer targets, it may come as a surprise that youthful manager André Villas-Boas looks set to take the helm at Stamford Bridge, becoming Chelsea’s first plunge into the transfer market this summer.

The move is all the more surprising given the fact that it was widely expected for Turkey's manager, Guus Hiddink, to take control of Chelsea.

At thirty three years of age, Villas-Boas is the same age as Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. He has no experience playing professional football and only has two seasons of real managerial experience.

Despite his relative inexperience, Villas-Boas has already won the Europa League and secured a domestic treble in his first season in charge of Porto, breaking many records in the process. So, what can Chelsea fans expect to see from the Portuguese manager?

Porto’s team is wired in a way not too dissimilar to Chelsea. Falcao has been the spearhead of Porto’s attack throughout the season, receiving support from Hulk and Verela from either flank. This front line mirrors that of Chelsea’s, with Torres in the centre receiving support from Kalou and Malouda out wide.

Similarities can be drawn in either team’s midfield, too. The central combination of Moutinho and Guarin, supported by Fernando playing a slightly deeper role, may not consist of the same glamorous names of Lampard, Essien and Obi Mikel, but the brutal efficiency at getting forward and maintaining possession is paralleled.

The same contrasts can be made with Porto’s back four. Right back Săpunaru has emerged as an influential right back for the Portuguese champions in much the same way that Ivanovic has come to prominence at Chelsea.

Like Ivanovic, he can play either at right back or in the centre; however, he is less prolific in front of the goal. On the left, Alvaro Pereira may not be as technically gifted as Ashley Cole, but (again) his role on Porto’s team is comparable to Cole’s at Chelsea.

This all bodes well for Chelsea fans; Villas-Boas understands how Chelsea plays and, more importantly, knows how to win with that style of play.

That does not mean to say that Chelsea fans will not see a change in their club's style of play.

Villas-Boas is known for his desire to play a beautiful attacking game—something that critics say Chelsea lacks. Following his triumph in this year’s Europa League final, Villas-Boas declared that he was a major fan of Barcelona’s approach to football and that he wanted to build a team like theirs.

Although this is hardly newsworthy, you would be hard put to find anyone who disliked Barcelona’s style of play, it may be worth taking note of.

If Villas-Boas was to join Chelsea, he would in many ways be handed a blank canvas—or at least a house in need of restoration.

There are cracks in Chelsea’s team that need to be filled; if given the opportunity, Villas-Boas will be able to fill those cracks with exciting young players who are able to maintain possession and pass the ball around well.

At Porto, he does not have the resources to do this, but at Stamford Bridge he will.

However tactically astute Villas-Boas may be, the likelihood of him changing Chelsea’s style of play depends on the players they bring in over the summer.

In Fernando Torres he already has one of the best strikers in world football at his disposal; all he has to do is find a midfielder and strike partner capable of giving him the assists he needs.  

Neymar could prove to be the strike partner that Fernando Torres needs. The 19-year-old Brazilian is oozing with flair and has the ability to find his way into gaps no one else can see. Off the ball he runs into gaps behind the defensive line, meaning that if he was to play in the Premier League he would be able to carve open defences.

Neymar has a good scoring rate, meaning he would be able to alleviate some of the pressure from Torres. The problem is that Neymar is used to being the star striker at Santos. He is the man that is entrusted with scoring goals and being the star of the show; he may not enjoy sharing the spotlight with Torres.

Another potential strike partner that may excite Chelsea fans could be Porto’s striker and star-performer Falcao. The Columbian striker is regarded by some circles as one of the best strikers in the world; his scoring record can certainly sustain such claims.

This season saw the front man score a record 15 goals in a single Europa League campaign, surpassing a record previously set by Jürgen Klinsmann. Villas-Boas is a known admirer of Falcao; if he was to leave Porto, it is likely he would bring his best player with him.

What Chelsea really needs in order to change to a more offensive style of football, is a hard-working central midfielder capable of getting forward, picking passes and scoring important goals.

This is a role that Lampard has played perfectly in recent years, but his age and current form suggest that his best days are behind him.

Is there a midfielder on the market who would be able to fill this void for Chelsea? The pressure will be on Villas-Boas to find someone. Luka Modric could fill this role perfectly, but evidence suggests he will not leave White Hart Lane this summer.

Given Villas-Boas' lack of experience, it is difficult to analyse the kind of players that he likes to sign. He has never been given a budget like the one he will receive at Chelsea, and he has never been given the opportunity to build a team.

At both of the clubs he has managed he essentially inherited the starting lineup from his predecessor; at Chelsea he will face a sterner challenge given that they are a team in need of change sooner rather than later.

If Chelsea is to continue to challenge for titles, they need to radically change over the summer. Under the rule of Scolari there were not enough new additions, though Grant and Ancelotti were brought on to keep things fresh.

Under Villas-Boas, this tradition needs to change, meaning he could make a comparable amount of signings to the players brought in under Mourinho and Claudio Ranieri.

At both clubs that Villas-Boas has managed, his teams have normally lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Given Chelsea’s familiarity with the system this is not likely to change, but their approach to the game could. Ultimately it depends on the signings that Chelsea brings in this summer.