Chelsea Return Nothing Special For Andre Villas-Boas

[Folami David]

Sacked last year after less than nine months in charge at Stamford Bridge before rebuilding his reputation at Tottenham Hotspur, Andre Villas-Boas said his return to Chelsea for a key Premier League clash on Wednesday was "not very special".
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"It's a club that I have gone past," Villas-Boas told a news conference on Tuesday. "I have good and bad memories like everybody else, but it's a pity it didn't finish as I would have liked."
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Villas-Boas was fired by Chelsea in March 2012 after a poor run of results amid reports of dressing room disharmony with his coaching methods.
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Former Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo took over from Villas-Boas and guided the side to an FA Cup final victory and then a memorable first Champions League triumph with a penalty shootout victory over Bayern Munich.
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Villas-Boas, appointed Spurs manager in July, said he bore no grudge against his former side.
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"I've told you in the past that, in a situation like we were in, normally it dictates for a manager to lose his job," he said.
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"It's understandable and has happened in various clubs for the same reason with the same effect, which is immediate success afterwards.
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"It's nothing new in football and is something that unfortunately works in moments of maximum difficulties.
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"You either believe in what you're doing or don't believe. At that time the club had to make a decision that proved successful for them."
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Villas-Boas' past and current clubs are embroiled, along with Arsenal, in a three-way battle for a top- four finish and a Champions League place.
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Chelsea, on 68 points from 35 games, can effectively guarantee finishing in the top four if they beat Spurs, who are fifth on 65 points from 35 and have a far inferior goal difference. Fourth-placed Arsenal have 67 points from 36 games.

[Shola Sholaz]

Chelsea Football Club must play their hearts out against Tottenham today. The goals must come. I see a draw at the end of it all.