Andre Villas-Boas calms talk of feud with players

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has claimed that he has a good relationship with defender Ashley Cole and refutes reports that there is unrest in the dressing room.

Recent speculation has suggested that there is a feud between Villas-Boas and the senior players due to the Portuguese boss's decision to drop Cole and midfielder Frank Lampard from the team that lost 3-1 to Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday.

It emerged this week that England international Cole blasted the former Porto coach's tactics. However, Villas-Boas has refuted such suggestions.

"The club is more important than any individual," said Villas-Boas. "There are individuals that make the team and we want to promote them and 'incentivate' them to be better each day.

"That's exactly what we are trying to do. The club needs them to go forward. Full backing or part backing or whatever backing doesn't really matter."

The 34-year-old went on to say that he isn't affected by constant rumours regarding his future at Stamford Bridge.