Blues play down significance of Abramovich visit

Chelsea have denied claims owner Roman Abramovich held ‘showdown’ talks with manager Andre Villas-Boas before the club’s breathtaking 3-3 draw with Manchester United.

The Blues confirmed Abramovich spoke to Villas-Boas during a rare visit to the club’s training ground on Saturday before attending Sunday’s Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.

But they insist the Russian billionaire remains fully behind the 34-year-old’s project, following a report he had become frustrated with results under the Portuguese.

A spokesman said: “Roman likes to get down to Cobham and watch training whenever he can. He was able to visit on Saturday and he and Andre had a good chat after the training session, which is normal.”

Villas-Boas said Abramovich’s visit had a “good impact”.

“We spoke about the preparation, of course, for the game. Roman is always very interested in the running of events and it was good for the team to feel his presence.

“We touched a little bit, of course, on next year’s project but mainly on that game.

“Roman is a very educated person to the cause of Chelsea Football Club and his aura is always present.”

Villas-Boas added: “We know the objectives that we have to achieve, the minimum objectives, and we will try to pursue them in these last 14 games.”

It is thought Saturday was the first time Abramovich had watched Chelsea train this season, with the 45-year-old’s focus having been on his high-profile court case with former associate Boris Berezovsky.

He spent 35 minutes casting his eye over the session before spending another 20 speaking with Villas-Boas.

He also spent half an hour talking to players in the dressing room after Sunday’s game, which saw Chelsea controversially held to a draw having led 3-0.

The match provided just the kind of entertainment Abramovich is believed to demand, but represented more points lost from a winning position by the Blues at home this season.

United needed two penalties to get back into the game, the second particularly controversial. Villas-Boas was critical of referee Howard Webb but managed to steer clear of comments that might have landed him a FA charge.

Opposite number Alex Ferguson was also angry with the officials, claiming Gary Cahill should have been sent off for what he considered a last-man challenge.

Cahill, who made his Chelsea debut on Sunday, said: “At the time I thought I had got the bottom of my studs on the ball. I have seen the replay and sometimes when you go through the player and across the player to get the ball they are given against you, so I was fortunate to get away with that one, but if you see the direction the ball moves I think my studs actually touched it first.”