Blackburn Kean to exploit Chelsea's wobble
Published 21:30 04/11/11 By Alan Nixon
Steve Kean is backing Andre Villas-Boas to carry out his Chelsea revolution – because of his strong character and background.
The Blackburn chief and the new Stamford Bridge supremo come from remarkably similar roots.
Both passed their coaching badges at the Scottish FA’s course and both have spells at Portuguese club Acadmeica Coimbra on their CVs.
Now, as Villas-Boas tries to impose his own style and personality on the Blues – despite poor results over the past two weeks – Kean is convinced he is capable of getting it right long term.
“Andre has been bold. But he has got strong belief in his own ability and has changed the way Chelsea play," said the Scot. "It is a brave move, but he’ll get it right.
“Andre is a forward-thinking coach, who is dynamic and meticulous. The lads enjoy his sessions and the way he works.
“It is a bit like the way Jose Mourinho worked, too. But Andre is still trying to change things – like the way they defend – which is a bold thing to do.”
Kean got his coaching badges a few years before Villas-Boas, but has followed his rise up the management ladder and said: “I played for Coimbra and I still know the people there.
“They speak very highly of him from his time in charge there. Andre also got all the plaudits he deserved when he went to Porto.
“It’s not entirely new to him at Chelsea, he was there with Mourinho. He knows the staff and players.”
Kean believes struggling Rovers can take advantage of the way Chelsea are approaching games.
“We have seen how they play and press the ball – they defend higher up the pitch – so there’s a bit more space behind," he said. “While they work on that there will be a few teething problems.
“Hopefully, there will be a few more of them against us.”
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