Villas-Boas: Lampard link to Galaxy false

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has denied any knowledge of interest in Frank Lampard from LA Galaxy.

The 33-year-old, who is no longer a certain starter for England under coach Fabio Capello, was left out of the starting line-up for the final Champions League group game with Valencia on Wednesday.

Villas-Boas’ men triumphed 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to ensure qualification for the last 16, and the manager is adamant the former West Ham United player will stay and compete for a place in the team.

Asked about speculation linking Lampard with a switch to the MLS, Villas-Boas told reporters: “I have no idea. There is nothing from our side.”

“We have a lot of competence in the team. Everybody is challenging for their place. The conversation for Lamps is exactly the same for all of the players.”

“All of them are competing to be the best, to be in the starting eleven. All of them deserve credit and he’ll turn things around for sure.”

Two players whose future at the club Villas-Boas was happy to discuss were Brazilian defender Alex and French striker Nicolas Anelka, both of whom had transfer requests accepted recently.

The former Porto manager admitted: “It’s a different situation (to Lampard) because it’s a transfer request that’s been accepted.”

“(Alex) will be linked to everybody in the world because he’s a top quality player, and Nico is the same. He’s been linked to everybody. For sure it will continue until the transfer window opens.”

The players are currently not training with the first team but the former Porto boss refused to rule out the possibility in the future of them returning to the squad.

“Not at the moment but it doesn’t mean it can’t change. These are players of top integrity, top human values and we respect them,” he said.

“The impact for the group was tremendous. The group also misses their relationship with us but it’s something that we felt was for the benefit of the team.”

“Again, it can change from one week to another but at the moment that’s not likely.”