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The Andy Gray Column: AVB needs time to combat player power

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Sharethematch ambassador Andy Gray was talking exclusively to to SW Londoner.

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IF I were Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea I would be worried that the players are throwing their weight around again – as a club it has been a problem, if handled incorrectly, for several years.

It’s worrying and in some ways disturbing that yet again the players are making noises to the detriment of the manager who’s there to run the club and ensure they are a success on the field.

If past experiences are anything to go by then a host of managers have fallen foul to the same issues currently facing AVB, and it’s not just those deemed unsuccessful.

Jose Mourinho didn’t last long with some of the criticism, big Luiz Felipe Scolari didn’t last long, Claudio Ranieri didn’t last long, so if we go by the history books the young man could be in trouble?

When you lose some of those big players, unfortunately at Chelsea at the moment, they still have an awful lot of power. But somebody along the way has got to stand up and say, ‘you know what, you’ve got to make some big decisions’ and I think he’s been trying to do that, Villas-Boas, this year and he’s suffered because of it.

It depends on Roman Abramovich and if he can, in his own mind, absorb having a poor season so that can come back a stronger Chelsea next season. I don’t know. But if he continues to let the powerful players at the club dominate, I really don’t see a way forward for Chelsea if that is the case.

I don’t like to see managers go but you certainly have to question some of his decisions of late – take Gary Cahill for example.

That is the one thing I don’t understand. I really don’t. Cahill is a fantastic footballer, he’s experienced, he’s been playing for Bolton, he’s not rusty, he’s not been injured, and I find it staggering that he hasn’t been in the side since day one.                                                 

But only time will tell. I hope he sorts it out but there is a big job on at that football club and I don’t know if he will be given enough time.

Andy Gray is an official ambassador for Sharethematch.com – Football’s Social Network. Available now for FREE online or at the App Store; http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/share-the-match/id450784289?mt=8

 

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