Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas concedes title race by admitting he is now aiming to finish 'at least' fourth in Premier League

The Champions League and the FA Cup will become prime targets for the Portuguese boss this season after he admitted his side can now only aim to finish inside the top four

10-Feb-2012 2:05:36 AM

By Michael Lightfoot

More On :  Chelsea FC, André Villas-Boas, Everton vs Chelsea FC
EPL: Andre Villas-Boas, Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea
Getty Images

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has conceded the title race by admitting his side's aim in the Premier League this season is to finish "at least" fourth.

Don't Miss

After throwing away a 3-0 lead against Manchester United in the league last time out, Villas-Boas has admitted that the title is now out of reach but will aim for the FA Cup and the Champions League.

He told reporters: "The objectives we have for this season are pretty much outlined.

"We have two competitions where we look better, and another competition where we have to dilute the damage and try to finish fourth, at least, which is not a very honourable position for the dimension of this club.

"Bearing in mind the rest, we focus on the same and a lot of focus on next year's progress as well."

Villas-Boas' comments come after the arrival of Blues owner Roman Abramovich at the club's Cobham training ground this week.

The Portuguese coach has insisted the Russian's presence is to merely talk face-to-face and that it will not distract him from the job in hand.

He continued: "We have never stopped speaking, because he is physically present it does not mean the conversation has just started now.

"The conversations have been ongoing, in different modes, but with physical presence you get your ideas across better, which is good.

"You can speculate whatever you want, but for us it is fantastic to have him here.

"It is not distracting, not at all."

Chelsea travel to Goodison Park this weekend with Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole both available for the game against Everton.

And the Portuguese boss is thankful for the pair's return, adding: "It is a major re-strengthening of the squad bearing in mind the options available.

"It is good to have Frank back and Ashley back from suspension, so we will look stronger."

How do you stay up with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week

    Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour

  2. Euro 2012 a timely respite for depressed Spain Euro 2012 a timely respite for depressed Spain

    With 24 per cent unemployment, wage cuts and little hope for improvement in the short term, the continental competition will at least take people's minds off their sad situation

  3. Welbeck impresses but it's a bad day for Johnson Welbeck impresses but it's a bad day for Johnson

    Ashley Young has also all but secured his place in the starting line up against France while Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Here's how the Belgium friendly affected the England player's chances of featuring in Euro 2012

  4. Five players Rodgers could sign for Liverpool Five players Rodgers could sign for Liverpool

    The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market

  5. Lambert the latest in EPL manager merry-go-round Lambert the latest in EPL manager merry-go-round

    The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday