Strangely I am delighted to hear AVB say this. I hate delusion and this is the guy being deadly honest and facing the reality of the situation.

The interview in which he said this is in part on both the BBC and Chelsea websites. This is taken from the BBC site as the club's site seems to have left the damage limitation bit out.

Villas-Boas hinted the club's focus would be on the FA Cup and the Champions League, in which the Blues face Napoli later this month.

"When we set up with this team, we believed the team was ready for four trophies," he said.

"Now we have a Champions League objective. We still play [for] two prestigious trophies.

"We have two competitions where we look better, and another competition where we have to dilute the damage and try to finish fourth, at least, which is not a very honourable position for the dimension of this club."

Villas-Boas signed a three-year contract at Stamford Bridge in the summer and is confident success can be achieved within that time-frame.

"The reality is that in the last years there was a pattern of managers shifting," said the 34-year-old, who became Chelsea's fourth manager in three years following the departures of Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Carlo Ancelotti.

"In the end, you have to agree that from 2004 Chelsea has been massively successful. It has been the best period of Chelsea's history.

"Hopefully we can progress that within the three-year range with me here."

It's also good to read in the full interview that things are ok between the manager and owner and that there is a 3 year plan. I feel happier after reading this and a bit more optimistic about the medium term future. Still a bit worried about hanging onto 3rd right now though.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/16979233

http://www.chelseafc...2605539,00.html

I read that Snedger and almost made the same thread as you, nice one mate AVB is a pretty much unknown quantity for us all and its great to see some getting behind him.

Sorry boys I don't buy it, no CL football next year and he's out the door with his 3 year plan wedged firmly where the sun don't shine. The club need the income from CL to maintain its current level, failure would mean the enforcement of major cut backs, i.e. player wages and with that a mass exodus.

If he doesnt get the champions league spot next year he deserves the boot, anybody who says otherwise is deluded!

In my opinion

Sorry boys I don't buy it, no CL football next year and he's out the door with his 3 year plan wedged firmly where the sun don't shine. The club need the income from CL to maintain its current level, failure would mean the enforcement of major cut backs, i.e. player wages and with that a mass exodus.

To be fair, we are one of the few clubs that don't actually need the money. Failure to qualify for the CL would be bad, no doubt about it, but it wouldn't be the end of the world PROVIDED we are actually making progress with revamping the playing side of the club.

I know where you're coming from but unless they sack him right now and bring in someone who can 100% guarentee 4th or better, what is the point in sacking AVB at the end of the season if he fails this year? It's not like UEFA are going to say "Oh, you finished 5th but your new manager is really good so we'll let you back in".

I don't think that it is delusional to think that RA will give him a second season regardless of where we finish this year. And besides, we will finish 4th or maybe even 3rd. As the weather warms up we will have our traditional strong run in.

RVP will get injured, Arry will be distracted by the FA, Pardew will be distracted by Spurs and Liverpool will be Liverpool.

Edited February 10, 201213 yr by Snedger

We need to be in the cl to attract the type of player we want/really need. Otherwise we'll be buying the Jordan Henderson's of this world.

As a season ticket holder this is an outrageous comment as far as I am concerned. I understand what he is saying but if they are not going to give 110% to try and win the league while it is still mathematically possible then I want a 1/3 refund on my already ridiculously priced season ticket.

I am not his biggest fan, I do understand the not wanting to sack another manager argument and I am prepared to finish in a lower position for the long term good however there are serious alarm bells for me from day one of AVB and they are not going away.

Might have to change my name to Seven Times soon.

As a season ticket holder this is an outrageous comment as far as I am concerned. I understand what he is saying but if they are not going to give 110% to try and win the league while it is still mathematically possible then I want a 1/3 refund on my already ridiculously priced season ticket.

I don't mean to criticise someone who's spent a lot of money on a season ticket. But surely you don't only go to Chelsea matches because you think the club will win the league? Is it the price you're upset about?

Personally, I don't think his statement means the players aren't trying. It means they're not good enough this season, surely? He's just being realistic.

It's going to be a fight for 4th. Success won't be the same as winning the title, I grant you, but it's an exciting battle and winning it will mean something.

Edited February 10, 201213 yr by wxwax

Well said AVB! We will be champions again next year!