AVB admits loss of player support

André Villas-Boas is confident that he still has owner's backing

André Villas-Boas had said that he has lost support from some Chelsea players but has the backing of owner, Roman Abramovich.
The Portuguese manager relations with the club palyers and fans reached a low after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Everton.
Villas-Boas, though, has sought to assert his authority publicly by reminding everybody it is he who makes the decisions, with Abramovich's blessing, and anyone who wanted to stay at the club in the longer term had to perform.
"They [the players] don't have to back my project," Villas-Boas said. "It's the owner who backs my project. Some of them don't back the project? That is normal. I think the owner has full trust in me and will continue to progress with the ideas that we have.
"My authority is total because it's the owner's authority. I have told you that we set out this team to try to win four trophies, believing in this team."
Nicolas Anelka and Alex were sold last month and further individuals, he noted, would depart in the summer. It is clear he feels that certain members of the squad are playing for their Chelsea futures.
"Two players have already departed and further will depart in the future and won't make part of the project, which more or less they expect but this is the reality of any football team.
"They know there is a manager in position holding on for a project of three years so, if they want to be part of that project, [it is about] performance level, or continuity of performance level and display."