I just thought I'd share these two articles. Very well written.

I've been very impressed by American media coverage of the Premier League. Particularly ESPN.com and Si.com.

Villas-Boas sets about transforming Chelsea squad in his own image

The specter of Jose Mourinho still looms large over Stamford Bridge. When Chelsea's latest manager, the fifth since the Special One strutted out of the door four years ago, arrived in London the knee-jerk reaction was to conclude that Roman Abramovich had opted for the "Russian doll" solution: opening his Mourinho doll to reveal the Andre Villas-Boas one inside -- mini-Mourinho had arrived, they said.

It was easy to see why comparisons between the men were drawn, their nationality, their incredible success with Porto, their age -- superficial similarities, but similarities nonetheless. Villas-Boas always knew he would have that cross to bear, but the early signs have been clear and decisive -- this strong-willed Portuguese is beginning to break up Mourinho's legacy and reconstruct the club in his own image.

Chelsea's vertical evolution is good news for Torres, bad for Lampard

Chelsea's core is still the core that won Chelsea's first title in half a century under Jose Mourinho in 2005: Petr Cech, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Lampard. That is partly why successive managers who have tried to change the way Chelsea play have found themselves reverting to the 4-3-3 Mourinho ended up favoring. There is a sense of a cabal of Mourinho loyalists, whether consciously or not, resisting change. It happens at other clubs too: it appears that Mourinho is such a charismatic coach that once players have played for him they struggle to move on. At least one of the four coaches who have come and gone since Mourinho has been ousted because of the discontent of key players.

At least one of the four coaches who have come and gone since Mourinho has been ousted because of the discontent of key players.

You read all the time in the press about Chelsea players conspiring to get rid of managers. I've no doubt players were unhappy about replacing Jose with Avram, about the way things went off the rails under Scolari, and about the way things went downhill in Carlo's second year. They would, I am sure, have chatted to senior officials about the way things were going - I am sure players do this at all clubs - but has there ever been a shred of evidence to say they actively undermined any of our managers?

If there is, none of our ex-bosses has ever come out and questioned the players' attitude or loyalty. There was an article by Duncan Castles in the Observer attempting to blame "Turncoat Terry" for getting Jose sacked but that was a complete fabrication and led to an official apology, if not damages.

Scolari had some unkind words about his dressing room. But I think he upset a lot of people.

Scolari, who took over as the Chelsea manager last July and was sacked in February, told O Globo newspaper: "The real owners of football at the moment are the players. The coach, in most European clubs, has no strength to contradict them.

"The people sacked are always the coaches. The main players already know this. That was my problem at Chelsea. Drogba, Ballack and Cech did not accept my training methods or my demands."

Thanks for that. Not seen that before. It does hint at players not cooperating with the manager, and with Scolari the on-field disorganisation was startling.

Scolari, who took over as the Chelsea manager last July and was sacked in February, told O Globo newspaper: "The real owners of football at the moment are the players. The coach, in most European clubs, has no strength to contradict them.

"The people sacked are always the coaches. The main players already know this. That was my problem at Chelsea. Drogba, Ballack and Cech did not accept my training methods or my demands."

I seem to recall that when Hiddink took over he was shocked at how bad our training methods were and most of the players were far from 100% because of it.

I think I trust Ballack, Drogba and Cech more than Scolari.

I seem to recall that when Hiddink took over he was shocked at how bad our training methods were and most of the players were far from 100% because of it.

I think I trust Ballack, Drogba and Cech more than Scolari.

I remember hearing about Scolari having full 90 minute matches in training pretty regularly, that sounded completely deranged.

I really wanted Scolari to work out, but he was like a rabbit caught in the headlights...I shudder when I remember the Southend away game...