Andre Villas-Boas faces a major challenge in winning over Chelsea stars – Ray Wilkins

Andres Villas-Boas

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Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins believes that new boss Andre Villas-Boas is up against a real test in terms of winning over senior players at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese tactician is 33-years-old, and is the same age as Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

The Europa League winner has in the past functioned as an assistant manager for the Blues, during Jose Mourinho’s reign at the west London club. But as boss, the move to Stamford Bridge is his first job in either the La Liga, Serie A or the Premier League.

“He is a young man who has done exceptionally well but it is a massive test coming in at Chelsea as they have big players and big personalities in there as well,” Wilkins told BBC Five Live.

“Has he worked with players of the experience, quality and personality of some of the guys there at Stamford Bridge?

“It will be interesting to see how he handles it. If he can, and I believe he is a decent guy, I don’t see him having a problem.”

Concerning the experience that Villas-Boas gained while working with the ‘Special One’, Wilkins added: “His training drills will be organised, he has worked with Mourinho and the players were well into the Mourinho philosophy and he will know what the players require.

“The bigger challenge will be when the games start and whether he can respond to the tactical situations he finds himself in.

“He knows what it’s about from within the club and he will run the footballing side. It’s a wonderful league because no two games are the same and I’m sure he’ll enjoy that.”