Football: Villas-Boas not under undue pressure

LONDON: Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas insists he is not overburdened by pressure as his side begins its latest Champions League campaign today. His predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti, was hired specifically because of his Champions League-winning pedigree, but was fired last season after failing to deliver. Despite the ruthless nature of Chelsea’s paymasters, Villas-Boas says he is relaxed. “I just have to focus on what the owner has told me,” he said. “One of his obsessions is to play well, and that’s what we try to do.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2011.