No popularity contest for Villas-Boas

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas says he does not need the backing of his players to succeed at Stamford Bridge.

Villas-Boas, 34, has responded to reports the Chelsea players confronted him angrily in the days after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton.

Regardless of the whether or not the rumours are true, the former Porto coach insists he only requires the support of club owner Roman Abramovich.

“They (the players) don’t have to back my project, only the owner needs to back my project,” he said.

“I think the owner has full trust in me and will continue to progress with the ideas that we have.”

“There was a meeting of technical staff and players, nothing dramatic.”

“Everybody understands we need more, and responsibility for this must be shared between the players and management.”

“In the end, that is the objective of getting us the best position possible in the league, plus these two trophies, which we are fighting for.”

Villas-Boas will be looking to get back to winning ways in Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash with Championship side Birmingham City.

“It will be extremely good for us if we win against Birmingham to put ourselves in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup,” he said.

“But we need strong progression in the league and to show our strength (and) a little bit more … contention for fourth place – as third is already 10 points ahead of us – so that we get Champions League qualification.”