Chelsea Draw 2-2 With Spurs As AVB Confirms Lampard’s Lack Of Support

Chelsea Draw 2-2 With Spurs As AVB Confirms Lampard’s Lack Of Support

Tottenham boss, Andre Villas-Boas, faced former side Chelsea tonight drawing 2-2 on his return to Stamford Bridge in a tightly contested affair which Chelsea should have won. Chelsea stay 3rd now 2 pts ahead of Arsenal and 3 pts ahead of Spurs.

The Portuguese manager clarified that Frank Lampard indeed was unsupportive of him during his time at Stamford Bridge. Villas-Boas’ spell in charge at Chelsea in 2011 lasted less than a season (286 days), when he was replaced by Roberto Di Matteo in March 2012. This duration was dominated by reports of a rift between the new manager and club legend Frank Lampard, who was consistently kept out of the side.

Most of Lampard’s appearances in a Chelsea shirt were off the bench, and supporters were baffled at the Portuguese boss’ decision to do so. Lampard is known as a unique ’20-goals-a-season’ midfielder, and this was ignored by Villas-Boas, insisting that Lampard would be chosen on merit and fitness levels, and not on past records.

According to Sky Sports, Villas-Boas has openly commented that Lampard did not support his reign, but complimented the midfielder’s abilities.

The manager said, “Yes, there was a lack of support from Frank Lampard but his ability and quality were never in doubt.” He continued: “Whether the Chelsea players supported me does not matter right now. And probably being sacked made me a better manager.”

Speaking ahead of the game, AVB said he would not be intimidated by returning to his old side, where he was not liked for his initiatives.

“Going back is not very special for me,” said Villas-Boas. “We have beaten all the big teams apart from Chelsea.

“Now we have the opportunity to put destiny in our hands.”

Despite Roman Abramovich’s decorated reign at the Bridge, Villas-Boas felt that ‘style’ was what mattered for the club’s success, but conceded that in today’s world, results matter most.

“If you don’t have a style, it makes you invisible in football. Only teams with style succeed, but in the end, success normally is what matters in modern Europe”

“Obviously what is attractive to me is maybe different to the style of football you might find attractive.

“There are various types of teams, teams built along great creative players and these Chelsea teams have the ingredient to be able to play this type of football.”

Well tonight Chelsea were the better side, created more chances and deserved to win but the 2-2 draw was not a bad result none-the-less as the Blues are still in good shape to qualify for the Champions League.