Source: Daily_Mail
Andre Villas-Boas fears Frank Lampard absence for Chelsea
Andre Villas-Boas has admitted Chelsea could be left short of cover in midfield if injury strikes Frank Lampard again this season.[LNB]Lampard was sidelined for three and a half months last term, his absence coinciding with the Blues' worst run in the Barclays Premier League for almost 15 years.[LNB]The England star returned to help them go close to completing the greatest comeback in Premier League history, but they ultimately came up short and finished the campaign empty-handed.[LNB] Counting the cost; Chelsea suffered without Frank Lampard when he was missing through injury last season[LNB]Chelsea have already lost two midfielders before the start of this season, with Yury Zhirkov returning to Russia and Michael Essien ruled out for six months with a serious knee problem.[LNB]The man signed to fill the void, Oriol Romeu, is still on international duty with Spain at the Under-20 World Cup and may not be available for selection until next month.[LNB]Chelsea have also made two attempts to prise Luka Modric from Tottenham but so far without success.[LNB]And although Villas-Boas is happy with his squad going into his first competitive game in charge against Stoke on Sunday, he acknowledged resources could easily become stretched.[LNB]'We are struggling with numbers in midfield,' he said. [LNB] Missing man: New signing Oriol Romeu (L) is away on international duty with Spain Under 20s at the FIFA World Cup[LNB]'We have Oriol still away at the under-20s World Cup. He'll return late in August, so numbers are short.'[LNB]Sunday's game is likely to see Chelsea line up with a three-man midfield of Lampard, Ramires and John Obi Mikel, with Josh McEachran as back-up.[LNB]Villas-Boas revealed he would also consider asking Yossi Benayoun or Florent Malouda to play more centrally if necessary.[LNB]'It's good enough for us that the people we have can play in those positions - we have a lot of versatility in midfield,' he said.[LNB]'Florent Malouda and Yossi can play number eight or number 10, and that gives us flexibility.[LNB]'That's why we're happy with the squad running into the Stoke game. [LNB]'All have been playing at a high level. In midfield, everyone has been performing well.'[LNB] Forward thinking: Villas-Boas could start with Drogba in attack at Stoke, leaving Torres on the bench[LNB]While Chelsea may have a shortage of midfielders, the impending arrival of 18-year-old Romelu Lukaku from Anderlecht would give them a surplus of strikers.[LNB]That is where Villas-Boas' first big selection dilemma lies, with one of Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres likely to be left on the bench.[LNB]Drogba is favourite to start against at the Britannia Stadium, having impressed in pre-season, with the Ivorian also seeming better suited to Stoke's physical game.[LNB]Lukaku, however, had still not been officially confirmed as a Chelsea player.[LNB]'We're outlining details,' said Villas-Boas before explaining why the Blues had finally pounced for a player with whom they have long been linked.[LNB]'Lukaku is one of those players we couldn't afford to lose because of his potential.[LNB] On the move: John Terry is looking forward to the arrival of Belgium striker Roman Lukaku[LNB]'That's why we made a move in the market, although our team is competitive and competent enough in that sector.[LNB]'Bearing in mind what he's been doing for the last couple of years at Anderlecht, we couldn't let this boy escape.'[LNB]Captain John Terry said of his fellow Chelsea fanatic: 'I looked him up YouTube the other week. I heard the guys say that he sleeps in his Chelsea shirt.[LNB]'For me, someone coming in like that and caring about the club from day one is the ideal situation.[LNB]'We want players coming for the love of the club.'[LNB] Exclusive: Play by my rules, says Chelsea boss Villas-BoasChelsea ready to meet Pereira's ?25m release clause as Juventus move for AlexAndy Townsend's Boot Room: The stats, the facts, the tips and the teams this weekend All the latest Chelsea news,features and opinion [LNB]
