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AVB denies Cole bust-up

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has denied reports of a bust-up with Blues defender Ashley Cole.

Blues boss defends team selection against Napoli

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has denied reports of a bust-up with Blues defender Ashley Cole. Reports had suggested Cole clashed with under-fire manager Villas-Boas ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League defeat to Napoli after he was left out of the starting line-up alongside Frank Lampard and Michael Essien. The former Arsenal left-back was reported to have told Villas-Boas that he did not feel he could win trophies because of the Portuguese's tactics. Asked about any bust-up, Villas-Boas denied any confrontation with the England international.

Not true

"It's not true," insisted Villas-Boas. Asked whether his players backed him, he said: "You don't expect them to be jumping up and down with excitement when the manager doesn't use them. "The club is more important than any individual. Full backing, part backing or whatever backing - it doesn't matter." Lampard was thought to be unhappy at being overlooked for the starting line-up against Napoli with the England midfielder only joining the action as a substitute 20 minutes from time. Villas-Boas admitted Lampard found the decision to start on the bench difficult, but that the midfielder accepted his choice.
No regrets
"In the end it is the decision of the manager and Frank accepts that," added Villas-Boas. "Of course it is difficult for him. It is a difficult decision to take, but it is always taken in the best interests of the team. "Sometimes whatever you say to players is not enough to convince them your choice is the right one. "I don't have any regrets about team selection. It was what I felt was completely right. The team was well set up."

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