Villas-Boas: I don’t need all players’ support

Under-fire Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas only needs the support of owner Roman Abramovich to carry out his duties and does not require the full backing of his squad, the Portuguese said on Thursday.

Media reports have suggested there was a row between the coaching staff and players when they met up at the training ground the day after last Saturday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat at Everton in the Premier League.

After the game Villas-Boas described it as Chelsea’s worst performance of the season.

Asked whether he still had the support of his players, the manager told a news conference on Thursday: “They don’t have to back my project; only the owner needs to back my project”.