André Villas-Boas 'disrespected' Chelsea's Frank Lampard, says Alex

Fractious: Chelsea stalwart Frank Lampard was given short shrift
by Andre Villas-Boas Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Former Chelsea defender Alex has accused Andre Villas-Boas of disrespecting Frank Lampard.
Alex, who joined Paris St Germain in January after he and Nicolas Anelka handed in transfer requests, criticised Villas-Boas' treatment of Lampard than of his own.
He told O Jogo: "André is not the kind of person who talks a lot, he's someone who is a bit closed. That's just the way he is. I saw some comments of Lampard recently and I think he deserved more respect.

"It is true that a player knows he will sometimes have to stay on the bench, especially after reaching a certain age. That's not a problem. But with Lampard's history at the club, where he has more than 10 years, he deserves a word or an explanation from the manager. Fundamentally, it was a question of respect for everything that he represents for Chelsea."
But Alex questioned claims that player power drove Villas-Boas out of the club. "I think it makes little sense to say there was a hardcore who did not want André to continue," he said. "If you look carefully, John Terry and Ashley Cole always played, Didier Drogba and even Fernando Torres had lots of opportunities.
"We, the players, often have a habit when things go wrong of blaming the coach. But that's not true. Sometimes things don't go well for the team due to little details, like a lack of luck, or poor form from some of us. In the end, it was good I had a problem there because I came to a great club and city."