Source: Daily_Mail
Andre Villas-Boas backs 'big' Frank Lampard
Andre Villas-Boas has assured Frank Lampard he would be a 'big player' at Chelsea for as long as he remained manager but there were no promises about his place in the team.[LNB]It may have been the havoc that a four-hour airport delay played with his planning ahead of the Champions League game here but Villas-Boas lost his cool as he discussed the Lampard issue in Valencia's Mestalla Stadium.[LNB]'What is the dramatic thing here?' snapped the Chelsea manager. 'Part of the team, part of the team? It's not about persons. I make choices like any manager. There's nothing unusual in that.'[LNB] Big Player: Frank Lampard has found himself out of the Chelsea first team recently[LNB]Perhaps not, but Lampard has played more than 500 games for Chelsea, rarely missing a match when fit and setting a Premier League record for the most consecutive appearances by an outfield player. [LNB]He has long been an automatic choice, yet despite being fully fit, the 33-year-old England midfielder has started only one of the last four and is not certain of his place tonight.[LNB]'You just took the negative part instead of the positive part,' said Villas-Boas. 'It's not a question of dramatic change. You (the media) want to make it that these players are finishing. That's not true. [LNB]'Frank is an established, top-quality player, one of the most important at the club. He has nothing to prove to the football world. He will continue to succeed in this club and be a big player for Chelsea for as long as I am here.'[LNB] Benched: Lampard reportedly was unhappy at his latest place with the subs[LNB]Villas-Boas has made no secret of his desire to instil a quicker tempo in his team, with midfielders pressing higher up the pitch a sentiment echoed by Fernando Torres as he tried to explain the slow start to his Chelsea career.[LNB] Indeed, Torres has seemed happier in the last few games with Raul Meireles and Ramires in advanced central midfield.[LNB]It makes sense and the manager will be applauded for making tough decisions but he appears hyper-sensitive to questions on the subject in his attempt to keep players like Lampard and Didier Drogba motivated for the day he needs them. [LNB]'You have it in the wrong perspective,' said Villas-Boas. 'I am not being brave. It's for the benefit of the team. You've got it all wrong.'[LNB]Another selection issue is whether to start Juan Mata on his return to the club where he spent four years before last month's ?24million move to Stamford Bridge. [LNB]'Different players react differently coming back home,' said Villas-Boas, with a nod to David Villa, who played poorly on his first return to the Mestalla after leaving for Barcelona.[LNB]Mata received a frenzied welcome at the airport but the Chelsea boss would not promise the locals they wouldsee him in action. 'We have to wait and see,' he told them. [LNB]'It is going to be strange for me going into a different changing room,' said Mata. 'But it will make it special for me. I know about the atmosphere in the Mestalla when Valencia play in the Champions League. I know how special the game is going to be and I hope both of us go through and I want to win this game. I play for Chelsea now.'[LNB] Welcome home: Juan Mata comes up against his former club[LNB]The man who succeeded Mata in the Valencia number 10, Ever Banega, admitted the winger was a huge loss to his former club.[LNB]He said: 'A great player left and went to Chelsea. He chose his future.[LNB]'Obviously, everyone at Valencia misses him.[LNB]'But we have lots of fantastic players and we have to carry on playing our football, with or without Mata.'[LNB] Warm welcome: Valencia's head coach Unay Emery (left) greets Juan Mata[LNB]A win tomorrow would put Chelsea well on course for the last 16 of the Champions League, with Valencia having been held to a goalless draw in their opening game at Genk.[LNB]Banega added: 'This game's going to be fundamental for Valencia.[LNB]'It's a very important game, especially after the first game.[LNB]'We're at home and we have to win this game by any means.'[LNB] Lennon rages after Chelsea tempt former refugee Feruz away from CelticDrogba takes a break from Chelsea to pull on a lederhosen with his old foe Lehmann at OktoberfestCech reveals chilling recollection of skull fracture after 'being hit by a boxer' in clash with Sa[LNB]
