Have Chelsea’s transfer targets changed with the arrival of Andre’ Villa-Boas?

Chelsea have, as promised, been swift with the appointment of a new manager and it’s the Portuguese, Jose Mourinho prodigy Andre’ Villas-Boas who has been given the opportunity/privilege/burden (delete appropriate) of taking over one of the cruellest hot seats known in management. He is immediately faced with the pressing issue of incoming and outgoing transfers at Stamford Bridge. Do all the speculation, rumours and possible negotiations Chelsea have been linked with over the last month now count for nothing after the appointment of Villas-Boas? Or will he encourage the deals his new club have been linked with?

Many Chelsea fans would have assumed that the speculation about players they have been linked with were players possibly singled out by a manager, be it Villas-Boas, Guus Hiddink or another manager waiting in the wings, ready to take the helm. However, it would appear with the arrival of Villas-Boas has come new speculation surrounding different players both arriving and leaving Chelsea. Perhaps their transfer targets have now changed.

It seems that the ex-Porto manager is perusing some of his former players, individuals that were prior to Villas-Boas’ appointment not linked with a move to Chelsea. João Moutinho, a player previously linked with multiple European sides such as Liverpool, is a name which has recently been thrown in the Chelsea transfer crucible. Villas-Boas is clearly keen on the 24 year old playmaker, having signed him from Portuguese rivals Sporting Lisbon last summer and is reportedly eager for Moutinho to join him at Stamford Bridge.

This, combined with the statement from Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insisting Luka Modric is not for sale, has seen the Croatian midfielder somewhat slide off the transfer radar over the last few days. There are arguably positives and negatives to this news, the signing of Modric would see proven Premier League pedigree come to Chelsea but on the other hand he could come at an extortionate price following Spurs’ ‘no fee is high enough’ policy.

Moutinho would possibly be more of a signing for the future, being younger than Modric, but does not boast Premier League experience which could prove vital to him gelling into the side quicker. However, given Villas-Boas’ thorough and concise approach he is likely to have a better idea than anyone which players can cut it in the Premier League. Hindsight is however something Villas-Boas doesn’t possess and he will have to use his detailed approach to bring in the best possible candidate into the midfield.

Prior to the appointment of Villas-Boas, Chelsea were said to be ‘in discussions’ with promising Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, there is yet word of whether these talks have now ceased following the arrival of the new coach or if he is keen on Lukaku; only time will tell. However, another Porto player linked with a reunion with Villa-Boas is Columbian forward Radamel Falcao, would this transfer be instead of or alongisde any possible Lukaku deal?

Porto will undoubtedly be wary of the post Mourinho effect in 2005/2006 when he took Ricardo Carvalho, Paolo Ferreira and Jose Bosingwa to Chelsea. They will clearly take action to detour this from happening again or demand substantial transfer fees for Mountinho, Falcao or anyone else moving to London.

Another name continuously linked with Chelsea is Brazilian striker Neymar and speculation regarding this deal has rejuvenated following the managerial change. It seems that whoever is the head coach, Neymar is always strongly associated with a move to Chelsea, possible the Chelsea hierarchy don’t want to see such a promising player go to a rival club. Villas-Boas will perhaps be put off by the players temperament and the unsettling affect he could have on the ‘team motivation’ he talked about recently.

For the first time in a few years, rumour about players leaving Chelsea are just as frivolous as players they may be singing. Are some Chelsea players futures now in jeopardy follwing the appointment of Villas-Boas? Whereas they might not have been if Guus Hiddink or another manager had taken over. Didier Drogba is a player who many Chelsea fans will want to see stay at Stamford Bridge. However, does Villas-Boas see Drogba as a crucial cog in his Chelsea system or do the pursuits of Falcao and Neymar highlight the fact that he would not resist any Drogba attempt to leave?

The same goes for Frank Lampard, will Villas-Boas risk the wrath of the Chelsea faithful by letting the much-loved midfielder leave? He has kept stum about particular individuals but must have ideas of who he wants to stay and who he will hold the door open for. Maybe, at just 33, he wants to radiate a new, younger, fresher image at Chelsea and the departure of fan favourites may be necessary to see long term success.

It is clear that, whoever has been leading Chelsea transfer negotiations over the last month, they will need to listen to Villas-Boas’ suggestions as he will undoubtedly have been as ruthless in his scouting for new acquisitions as he was and is in his preparation for matches.

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