Source: Team_Talk
Lampard speculation dismays AVB
Andre Villas-Boas insists Frank Lampard remains crucial to Chelsea and has hit out at the "negative" attention around the midfielder.[LNB] Blues boss Villas-Boas declared he was fed up of answering questions about Lampard's future, which has been the subject of speculation after he started three of the last four games on the bench and was substituted in the other.[LNB]That has provided further ammunition to those who claim Lampard's powers are on the wane after the 33-year-old lost his place in the England side earlier this month.[LNB]The man who once set a Premier League record for consecutive outfield appearances has certainly been rested by Villas-Boas of late, either as part of a squad-rotation policy or in order to preserve his ageing legs for the bigger games.[LNB]In either case, that should mean he starts Wednesday's Champions League Group E clash at Valencia but, should he not, speculation about his future will reach fever pitch.[LNB]Yet, Villas-Boas - who refused to confirm whether the midfielder would be in his XI - insisted that would be completely unjustified.[LNB]In a pre-match press conference that veered from tension to levity, the Chelsea boss branded most questions about Lampard as "negative", adding: "I think I've answered that question enough."[LNB]Asked what he particularly took issue with, the Portuguese added: "The fact that these players are 'changing' and that they are 'out' and then they are 'in' and, 'What is the problem with this player?' and, 'How is he going to react to a different situation?'[LNB]"I don't see things like that.[LNB]"We all see things in the dressing room as team objectives and collective objectives, nothing else."[LNB]Villas-Boas launched a impassioned defence of Lampard, saying: "Frank is an established player, a top-quality player, he's one of the most important players for the club and will continue to be.[LNB]"He's an established player for Chelsea, for England, has nothing to prove to the football world.[LNB]"He's a spectacular team player, a spectacular professional, and he will continue to succeed at this club I think - and I hope - for the remainder of my years at this club."[LNB]Villas-Boas insisted there was "nothing dramatic" in his refusal to confirm whether Lampard would be recalled at the Mestalla tomorrow.[LNB]He added: "I just go on managing my team and the biggest challenge of the manager is having everybody motivated.[LNB]"Everybody wants to play, so everybody competes for a place.[LNB]"There's no mystique in this situation. It's the day-by-day life of management."[LNB]Villas-Boas, who was appointed Chelsea manager this summer, also sidestepped questions about whether squad rotation was now a fact of life at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]But asked whether his approach to team selection was an improvement on his predecessors, he said: "I don't know if it's better or if it's worse.[LNB]"Chelsea has a fantastic record in the last eight years, with three Premier Leagues and three FA Cups.[LNB]"What we're managing in terms of the squad is to get a squad ready to challenge for the Premier League title.[LNB]"It cannot be discussible, three times in three days, the team selection.[LNB]"In the end (of the season), we have to discuss what has happened throughout the season and what the manager has done wrong or right."[LNB]Villas-Boas' mood was not helped today by Chelsea being forced to change planes for their flight to Valencia, leading to a three-hour delay.[LNB]He will not care a jot provided they win tomorrow night and take a big step towards the Champions League knockout stage.[LNB]But Villas-Boas was taking nothing for granted against a team managed by good friend and fellow thirtysomething Unai Emery.[LNB]He said: "I don't like being favourite in any games because that only implies big surprises in the end.[LNB]"Tomorrow's game will be extremely difficult because I know how difficult Valencia are.[LNB]"I'm very impressed by the way Valencia play football and the way Unai motivates his players.[LNB]"I hope that one day he can come to England and manage a team in the Premier League."
