Villas-Boas has ´no problem´ with Lampard

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has denied any rift with club ‘legend’ Frank Lampard ahead of the side’s trip to West Brom on Saturday.

The 33-year-old scored his 10th goal of the season last weekend against Bolton Wanderers to become the first player in the Premier League era to notch double figures in 10 consecutive seasons.

Lampard has been public with his discontent at his reduced role at the west London outfit, but Villas-Boas revealed he has no qualms with the midfielder speaking his mind.

“I think it’s no different from any other club,” he said on Friday. “It’s a manager-player relationship in the end.”

“Frank’s words are genuine, I haven’t had the content of them, but it is a reflection of the relationship between us. I have no problems with it.”

“I have to choose the team and try to choose the best team for every single game. Sometimes it hasn’t involved Frank, but it doesn’t mean I have a personal problem with him.”

“His interpretation is his own but I have no problem, and I explained these decisions to him, these are decisions for the benefit of the team.”

“He is a legend of the football club, if (the fans) chant his name during the game it’s because he represents that. He fully deserves it.”

“I hope one day to have the curriculum that Frank has in this football club, which is amazing. If that is the case it means I will be a successful manager.”

John Terry is making good progress in his return to full fitness, with the boss also revealing that Daniel Sturridge has shaken off the injury that forced him off during England’s 3-2 loss against the Netherlands on Wednesday.

“JT is progressing extremely well and was out with the physio today increasing his range of movement, so we are looking positive,” Villas-Boas said.

“It is still early doors but we are looking positive.”

“Daniel should be okay and trained 100 percent with the team today so should be all right.”

“I didn’t see (the England game) but was informed about his substitution.”

A fourth-placed finish is what many Blues fans will be hoping for at this stage of the season, but the manager hopes a good run of form can mount a charge to steal third from Tottenham.

“We must construct on this last win that we had,” Villas-Boas said. “There is a slim chance of the third place getting closer to us this weekend if we do our job.”

“We have to put it into perspective. Tottenham’s title contention lasted one week because after that results didn’t happen, and we have a slight chance and have to push for it and we have to take this opportunity, but we need to do it with results.”

Chelsea beat West Brom 2-1 earlier in the season and have won their past eight games against the club, but Villas-Boas is aware the Baggies are much-improved of late.

“It was a long time ago and it’s a different situation now,” he said.

“(It is) a different run of results for West Brom with 4-3-3 where they are doing very well, with two amazing results against Wolves and Sunderland.”

“It’s a different Chelsea (too), but it doesn’t take away from our responsibilities in trying to win.”

“We have been competent away from home as well, our numbers are not great or entertaining but we have five wins, five draws and three losses away from home.”

“It’s respectful but not up to our standards and we want to improve with a win. At the moment the most important thing is to focus on what we still can do in this league.”