Chelsea manager still a fan of Frank

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS last night hit out at the “negative” readings of Frank Lampard’s reduced role at Chelsea, insisting the midfielder remained one of the club’s most important players.

Blues boss Villas-Boas declared he was fed up of answering questions about Lampard’s future, which has been the subject of speculation after he started three of the last four games on the bench and was substituted in the other.

That has provided further ammunition to those who claim Lampard’s powers are on the wane after the 33-year-old lost his place in the England side earlier this month.