Top Villa-Boas Targets for the New Chelsea FC

With Andres Villa-Boas now confirmed as the new Chelsea manager, the club can focus on improving the team itself.

Just as during every transfer window, speculation and rumors have been swirling all around. Chelsea did the right thing, however, not making any major moves without the approval of the man who will have to figure out how to best use them.

But now that that man is in place, the rumors will start to take on a more serious tone.

Villa-Boas has a very attack minded approach to the game. He won the UEFA Europa Cup playing the "beautiful game" that has become linked to Barcelona of the past few years.

But he comes to a team that has often been criticized for playing the antithesis to that style. Players on Chelsea are much more inclined to put their head down and run through someone than knock the ball around four to five times in only six yards of space.

It makes for an interesting start for the new coach. Will he attempt to reform some of the older guys (many of much are only a handful of years his senior)? Or will he open up Papa Abramovich's piggy bank and buy his ideal squad?

If it were the latter, here are few players who have been speculated on and would fit well.

Neymar

Ever since last season, Chelsea has attempted to bring the prodigal son of Brazilian football to West London. They were not able to get it done last year, but you can bet that Villa-Boas will push even harder this time around.

The exciting and technically amazing 19-year-old is on the watch list of many top European Clubs. He has been likened to Ronaldo for his innate ability to find the goal and Ronaldinho for his extensive creativity on the ball.

With Chelsea's roster currently holding six forwards, they may need to do some off loading to convince the youngster to come, but the sacrifice would more than likely be worth it.

What's more is he fits into Villa-Boas style very well. If he and Torres were to become the primary strikers next season, it could easily benefit both of them.

Neymar would naturally attract defenders opening space for Torres to make the runs he did so well at Liverpool and Athletico Madrid. Hopefully, this could allow the Spaniard to finally live up to his bill.

His youth is also critical in this decision. Villa-Boas is only 33 years old. Bringing in older veteran players risks him losing control of the locker room if he were not respected. A young easy going Brazilian could help him establish his presence as well as give him a star for many years to come.

Josh McEachran

So he is already on the team and has played before. But he is still someone Villa-Boas will look to finally bring through to that next level and make him an everyday player.

Right now, he is an 18-year-old boy trying to compete for a spot with Frank Lampard. But in the future, he could become the face and fan favorite of not only Chelsea, but English football.

The freckly faced teen has been highly praised by the staff of both his club and national sides for his acute awareness and inch perfect passing. He will never score many goals, but will set them up countless times.

What's most critical for Villa-Boas is to make sure that McEachran always remains an integral part to the Chelsea game plan. Tradition and heritage will demand that no matter what the team does record wise, that an English born son is key to their results.

If Villa-Boas wants to be praised off the field, he must appeal to the fans. Even if Chelsea were not to be as successful as expected, if McEachran is on his way to leading the three lions back to glory, he will be appreciated.

Joao Moutinho

Similar to what Mourinho did six years ago, we can expect Villa-Boas to try and bring some of what he is familiar with to Chelsea.

There have already been rumors of bringing along striking partners Radamel Falcao and Hulk, but that would just mean more forwards. Instead, the smart move would be midfielder Joao Moutinho.

Moutinho is young at age 24, but not inexperienced like others on the list. He has a great pedigree, playing 190 games of top flight Portugese football and 33 for the senior national team.

His most valuable asset is his versatility. Though primarily a central midfielder, he is accustomed to playing both an attacking and holding role. Chelsea has had problems filling the center of the field in the past.

Lampard and Ramires did a fine job last season, but not much depth existed beyond that. Essien is injury prone, and Mikel is streaky. Another solid central player will certainly be welcomed.

Moutinho's most important role may be what he does off the field. With things sure to change at the Bridge, it is good to have a player who is familiar with the system and can help relay it to the others. Sometimes players are more receptive to a teammate than a coach.

He also can help those unfamiliar with Villa-Boas style and personality adapt and know what to be ready for. Ultimately, his impact may not be as noticeable on the field, but his locker room presence could be huge.

Romelu Lukaku

As I have already said multiple times, there are already too many strikers on the Chelsea roster, but sometimes a player comes along that is too good to turn away. Romelu Lukaku is that player.

Lukaku has already drawn comparisons to current Chelsea forward Didier Drogba. His size, strength and pure goal scoring ability has made him a hot commodity.

He is only 18 years old and has already scored 31 goals in 71 games for the Belgian side Anderlecht. He is already a regular call-up for the senior national team and expected to have a bright future wherever he is.

Villa-Boas could look to him as a project in the works. He would be smart to get him in sooner than later while Drogba is still here. The similar build the two have would make him an ideal protege for the Ivorian to help come along and be as great as he is.

Lukaku's size also gives him an advantage at the start in England. While others on the list are not used to the physicality of the Premier League, the Belgian's frame should allow him to adapt easily and be effective almost immediately.

Perhaps the best thing about signing a player such as Lukaku is that it would be on the cheap and almost guaranteed to turn a profit. The physical attributes he posses could out weigh his actual results. Many coaches may want him just to see what they could do with him. It's the idea that "you can't teach height."

Adel Taarabt

Taarabt does not have the same resume or notoriety as others on this list, but his intangibles are extensive. At only 22 years of age, he was given the captaincy at Queens Park Rangers and was critical in their promotion the top flight football.

The Moroccan national had his first foray in the EPL with Tottenham. But unable to garner regular playing time, he was loaned to QPR.

In two full seasons, he established himself as not only a regular, but team leader. His distribution of the ball in the middle helped them score 71 goals and win the league.

He will not score a lot of goals for whatever club he is on, but will be integral in any attack. His maturity at such a young age makes him a very reliable sub to bring on late and close out a game. He also would be helpful in the tough winter months where the schedule begins to get busy and still allow the team to compete at a high level in all competitions.

The benefit of Villa-Boas in signing Taarabt is the low price tag. Knowing he won't come into the squad as an every day player, the acquired talent would greatly outweigh the cost.

Ironically, though, he also may be the toughest to player on this list to get.

He has become a staple of QPR and integral to their team. If QPR wants to avoid being sent right back down after one season, they will need him.

Even if QPR were to let him go, it is even doubtful whether he would sign with Chelsea. He left Tottenham two years ago for regular first team football. Now that he is back in the Premier League, it's doubtful he will leave that to be on the bench again.

Gregory Van Der Wiel

Not many transfer rumors have circulated on defenders at Stamford Bridge, but the one that has for Dutch RB is a good one.

At age 23, he has already commanded the right side of the backline for Ajax for over 100 games. He also played in the 2010 World Cup.

His speed and attack mindset liken him to Dani Alves. He is always eager to get forward and assist with the offense.

He is also a reliable defender, performing well against high competition at a very young age.

Villa-Boas will look to sign him as more a necessity than luxury. Chelsea has failed to find a solid RB for some years now.

Paulo Ferreria did well under Mourinho, but fell after his departure. Jose Bosingwa was brought in to replace him, but never quite lived up to expectations.

The youth and earnest nature van der Wiel brings to the game would make him ideal for the Villa-Boas system.

Should he come to the Bridge, it would be under little pressure, and he would be on the same line with some of the best veteran defenders in the game. He could quickly develop with them on his side and truly become a great for the Blues for years to come.

Luka Modric

When Mourinho came to Chelsea, he went on a spending spree, buying up the team that we know today. When Villa-Boas comes in, he will more than likely do the same, and Luka Modric is the prize cow of the herd.

The Croatian is hitting the peak of his career. He is an all-around midfielder who attacks and tracks back to support the defense.

He has become such a commodity at White Hart Lane that they are asking for Drogba in return.

He has flair and creativity all backed up by a strong work ethic.

He would more than likely be used in the role of left wing, supporting Torres in the attack.

Villa-Boas could see Modric as the ideal big name to bring to the team. He would fit perfectly in the 4-3-3 that the boss is comfortable employing. It would also be a way to establish his presence as the new big boy in London if he were to take him away from Chelsea's cross town rival.

For all the skill Modric would bring to the team, his arrival may best help cement a strong realtionship between the manger and owner.

Chelsea has been chasing Modric since before Villa-Boas was a public candidate for the job. It is apparent that Abramovich's finger prints are all over the attempted transfer. If Modric were to sign now, it would have to do with Villa-Boas in some regard.

But whatever that reason it would make the Russian happy, and that's what's most important when you are a Chelsea manager.