Chelsea boss pained to leave out stars

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has claimed that everytime he leaves players out of his line-up, he is forced to ‘suffer’.

Stamford Bridge favourite Frank Lampard and record signing Fernando Torres have been relegated to the substitutes’ bench for much of the season and Villas-Boas insists it is not an easy decision.

The Blues boss told UEFA’s The Technician: “I suffer most as a coach when everyone is available and I have to select the line-up at the end of a week when everyone has given their total commitment.”

“It is a basic part of the manager’s job, but when you have to leave players out for the sake of the team, it is tough.”

“Nothing you can say to them can convince them they haven’t done something wrong.”

“This selection process, being ruthless, takes the human element out of you, and it is something that makes you sensitive to players’ feelings.”

Villas-Boas also claimed that his age can work for and against him in the high-pressure world of football management.

The Portuguese suggests that he cannot command his squad as much due to his youth and lack of playing experience but believes he is more able to relate to his squad and can work with them easier.

“You are expected to be successful instantly, and the process and the circumstances are not taken into account,” the former Porto boss continued.

“Because of my age and my lack of a professional playing background, I could never be dictatorial.”

“I therefore let the players have a certain amount of input into the decisions regarding the way we play and the way the team is run.”

“I encourage the players to participate in the decisions affecting their professional lives. You must build a two-way relationship, though as coach I make the final decisions and if I have to upset a couple of people, then so be it.”

“My age was never an issue because I started coaching when I was very young.”

“It is something that has always generated debate, but I have no problem with it because the players always accepted the position of the manager and they seemed to enjoy the relationship with someone of their generation.”