Harder to win title now, says Villas-Boas

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS yesterday declared it would be harder for Chelsea to win the Barclays Premier League this season than it was when Jose Mourinho landed back-to-back titles at Stamford Bridge.

Blues boss Villas-Boas insisted he was not trying to downplay his former mentor’s historic and record-breaking achievements but claimed the top of the table was far more competitive today than it was five years ago.

The implication, of course, is that should Chelsea finish this season as champions, it would represent an even greater achievement than they managed under Mourinho.