AVB in the dark over De Bruyne

Andre Villas-Boas has admits Chelsea’s pursuit of Kevin de Bruyne had nothing to do with him.

The Blues were this week on the brink of completing the signing of 20-year-old Genk winger De Bruyne, who they have been linked with for several months. But manager Villas-Boas revealed yesterday the decision to fork out a reported £8m for the player had come from above.

“You have to speak to the people from the club about that,” he said. “It’s club policy. It’s not within my immediate projects. He’s a player the club has scouted for some time. I’m a manager who respects club policy.”