Chelsea axe AVB

I couldn't believe it today when I read that Chelsea had parted company with manager Andre Villas-Boas. A man that during the summer they paid £13.3m just to secure him from his FC Porto contract, finds himself the scapegoat for Chelsea's disastrous fortunes.

Taking over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti, Villas-Boas inherited an aging squad that needed overhauling and seemed unwilling to conform to his style of doing things. His all conquering Porto exploits suggested he should of been given more time than what he has been allowed.

In my eyes Petr Cech hasn't looked the same keeper since his injury and a more consistent keeper is needed. In a defence that has only had Ashley Cole as an automatic starter and Ivanovic played out of his best position, Chelsea need at least 3 top defenders in the midst of their 20's. Bosingwa, Terry,Ferreira and Luiz are all liabilities. The signing of Gary Cahill is looking a shrewd investment but another centre back and a right back are vital if Chelsea are to challenge for anything next season.

In midfield Lampard may score a few goals but doesn't contribute much else. Like England, Chelsea are losing something trying to accommodate "Fat Frank" in their starting line up. They look a much better outfit with Essien, Meireles, Ramires or Romeu as a three man midfield. Others that need moving on are Mikel, Malouda and Kalou.

Upfront how AVB can be blamed for the stuttering Fernando Torres is beyond me. £50m for a player out of sorts and out of form. Surely it would of been better and cheaper to cut their losses and got rib of the misfiring Spaniard instead of a top young manager. The money they would get would of financed a move for Porto's Hulk.

Roberto di Matteo takes over until the end of the season and has to transfer window to wheel and deal in and will hope to rejuvenate the squad before key FA Cup and Champions League matches.

Whoever is in charge in the summer needs to replace Hilario, Turnball and Cech in goal. Ferreira, Bosingwa, Luiz and an aging Terry in defence. In midfield Lampard, Mikel, Malouda and Kalou can all be relocated. Upfront Torres has to go and a decent replacement for Drogba is required. In my eyes AVB has been unlucky and whoever takes over long term faces exactly the same problems.