Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas has admitted that the difficult position they find themselves in is self-inflicted, whilst defending his decision to outcast fringe players.
The Stamford Bridge club host Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and need to draw 0-0 or win against Unai Emery’s men to progress to the knockout stages.
The Blues looked to be strolling through Group E until a draw against Genk and a defeat to Bayer Leverkusen halted the side’s progress.
“We just have ourselves to blame,” the Portuguese coach told The Telegraph.
“Valencia will want to get something because a goal represents a lot to them, and makes things even more difficult for us.
“But we will try and take the initiative again and won’t change our strategy. We don’t play counter-attack or long balls. We want good quality possession football,” he stated.
Meanwhile, both Nicolas Anelka and Alex handed in transfer requests after the 3-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend, and Villas Boas has made the experienced pair train with the reserves.
Despite the slight against the international players, the manager states that it is not a personal attack on the duo.
“I don’t want you to misunderstand,. Their professionalism and integrity will never be in doubt, but we want the right mind-set.
“For players on the transfer list, the reality is that, eventually, the mind-set is not the same.
“That’s not to say that it’s a reality that these are top, top professionals who have won everything for the club, but it was still right for the club to do this,” he concluded.
By Gareth McKnight
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