A desperate gamble, or an unpolished gem?

A desperate gamble, or an unpolished gem?

Andre Villas-Boas, soon to become a household name in England as he begins his second spell and latest managerial journey with Chelsea. What do we know about this young Portuguese manager? Well the first thing that springs to mind is the similarities to former Porto & Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, Firstly both managers had a strong affiliation with the late great Sir. Bobby Robson, under Sir. Bobby Villas-Boas earned his UEFA C coaching licence at the tender age of 17. The next similarity is obvious, both managers left a European winning Porto side to join Chelsea (Mourinho's Porto won the UEFA champions league, where as Villas-Boas's Porto won the UEFA Europa League). However can this latest Portuguese sensation deliver what Roman Abramovich so desperately desires, the Champions League? Villas-Boas had no professional playing career and was vastly inexperienced as a head coach prior to his appointment at Porto, with all due respect I do not think the Portuguese footballing world were prepared for what he was about to accomplish.

Firstly his Porto finished top of the Portuguese premier league by 21 points, and went a whole season unbeaten claiming 84 points along the way. Along with the League he also claimed the Taca de Portugal, which is Portugal’s equivalent to the F.A cup, and most impressively he is the youngest manager at thirty-three, to ever win a European trophy. His credentials make for impressive reading so surely Chelsea have formed a perfect partnership? Or is the partnership about to get stronger. Along with his major success Villas-Boas can thank the talents within his old Porto side, but one name stands out amongst many, Rademel Falcao.

Reports suggest that the Porto frontman seems set to follow Villas-Boas to Chelsea, should this excite the Chelsea faithful? they certainly should. For those who are not familiar with the Columbian striker, in eighty -five appearance’s he has scored a staggering seventy-three goals for Porto, and has looked in sensational form this season. The most impressive trait within Falcao's style is his ability to finish chances, as you can see in the video posted he has an amazing natural ability to score goals in almost anyway possible. He has a remarkable burst of pace over ten yards, can use both feet comfortably, and has a powerful header. All of these traits appear to make him the perfect player, and if this move came to fruition, would he be able to replicate this form in the Premier League? 

 

Last week Villas-Boas delivered his first speech as Chelsea manager, despite his similarities to Jose Mourinho Villas-Boas seems by far the more modest of the two, and he assured the Chelsea faithful that to gain the title as the 'Special one', he must first bring home the league and European titles. We can expect to see his Chelsea team much more attacking that Mourinho's and the players given more freedom, as Villas-Boas's porto were notorious for their rapid counter attacks, high work rate and dynamic attack force.

Villas-Boas's youth could be his greatest weapon. Having not had a professional playing career he would have had to follow many other managers style's to eventually forge his own, if he follows the rout of Sir.Bobby then he is sure to be as wise as he is daring. Villas-Boas may have big shoes to fill, however he could hold the key to Chelsea's European heartache and deliver an exiting brand of football back to stamford bridge.