Villas-Boas to outline Chelsea vision today

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS is unlikely to declare himself the new “Special One” when he is officially unveiled as Chelsea manager today, but nevertheless the Portuguese coach will be out to make his own mark at Stamford Bridge.

The headline statement by Jose Mourinho on his arrival in the summer of 2004 was certainly backed up by success on the pitch as Chelsea went on to win all three domestic honours during his three-season tenure.

However, it is in Europe where Villas-Boas, part of Mourinho’s backroom staff at Stamford Bridge, will be expected to prove his own worth, building on the Europa League success with Porto.

That is set to be the biggest challenge of the 33-year-old’s fledging coaching career in one of the game’s most demanding jobs.

Villas-Boas promised evolution not revolution after succeeding experienced Italian Carlo Ancelotti, who celebrated an historic league and FA Cup double in his first full season at the helm before being unceremoniously axed after a barren campaign and early Champions League exit to eventual finalists Manchester United.

When he goes in front of the English media for the first time, Villas-Boas is likely to face questions over whether he was first choice for the position.

Following Ancelotti’s dismissal, it was widely reported former caretaker manager Guus Hiddink had emerged as the Blues’ top target to return to the role he enjoyed on a temporary basis following the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari when guiding the Blues to FA Cup victory at Wembley in 2009.

However, after Villas-Boas was confirmed, Chelsea maintained the Portuguese coach was the “outstanding candidate” and there had been no formal approach to the Dutchman, who remains in his post as Turkey boss.

The new Chelsea boss is expected to be busy in the transfer market ahead of the new campaign, with Colombia striker Radamel Falcao and midfielder Joao Moutinho expected to follow him to Stamford Bridge from Porto.

Veteran Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has been linked with a move to Marseille should Falcao’s arrival be confirmed.

Brazilian youngster Neymar, meanwhile, has been a long-term target for Chelsea, who had a number of bids rejected last summer.

However, Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro has confirmed five clubs in Europe have agreed to pay the €45m release clause.

The clubs — reported as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala — will now be given permission to speak to the 19-year-old.

De Oliveira Ribeiro told ESPN Brasil: “We don’t want to sell the player, but of course there is a release clause in his contract that can be paid. Five European clubs have offered to match the clause.

“I cannot name them because there is an agreement between Santos and the clubs, but they are the most important European clubs.

“They have asked to speak to the player and obviously we’ve allowed them to. These clubs can come and make their offers, but if he wants to stay at Santos then he’ll say no and stay at Santos.”

Villas-Boas may be looking to revamp the Chelsea squad, but Michael Essien’s agent maintains the Ghana midfielder will not be sold.

AC Milan and Juventus are said to be interested in the 28-year-old, signed by Mourinho from Lyon in a £24m deal in 2005.However, Essien’s agent Fabien Pivateau insisted his client was going nowhere and already had a good relationship with the new Chelsea boss.

Pivateau said: “There’s absolutely no chance of Essien leaving Chelsea. It is not true that the club’s new coach Villas-Boas wants to release Michael.

“In fact the new coach knows Essien very well having worked at the club before and he knows what Michael can do for the club.

“Michael is also focused on staying at the club because he has a very good relationship with the team’s supporters, the new manager and the club owner. He is not leaving.”