London, Dec.6 (ANI): Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas has refused to consider the possibility of the Blues not making the grade in the Champions League, even as he has taken the decision to exclude both Nicholas Anelka and Alex in the home tie against Valencia.
Villas-Boas revealed that having had the two stars transfer requests accepted, he had spoken to the Chelsea board about the need to exclude both as he wanted the right mind set before going into the clash against Valencia.
"I don't want you to misunderstand. Their (Anelka and Alex's) professionalism and integrity will never be in doubt, but we want the right mind-set. For players on the transfer list, the reality is that, eventually, the mind-set is not the same," The Telegraph quoted Villas Boas, as saying.
He added: "That's not to say that it's a reality that these are top, top professionals who have won everything for the club, but it was still right for the club to do this."
A statement about having the right "mind-set" said it all given that it is unusual for a club of Chelsea's standing to take such a step.
It is becoming abundantly clear to all at Stamford Bridge that it's either Villas-Boas' way or the highway.
The exclusions will be a shock to some of the club's senior players but they should be in doubt that Villas-Boas - and by extension Abramovich - is serious in the intention of creating a "new Chelsea".
The 34-year-old's authority to make changes will be increased should this tie be navigated with Villas-Boas making clear he banished the transfer-listed pair to jolt the rest of the squad.
He insisted that neither player was being treated like a "criminal", adding: "It was a decision based upon the run of results we've been having, and we wanted everyone focused on the future of the club. The transfer request was decided with heavy thoughts. It wasn't taken lightly." (ANI)
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