Andre Villas-Boas takes first Chelsea training session

Last updated : 06 July 2011 By Daily Mail

But look closer at the dashing young gentleman in the blue pullover barking orders, and it becomes apparent that he isn't just another player, but in fact the 33-year-old Portuguese manager who is charged with keeping united one of most powerful dressing rooms in the Premier League.

Man in the middle: Andre Villas-Boas took his first Chelsea training session in Cobham

Andres Villas-Boas took his team of experienced internationals, title winners and Champions League finalists for training for the first time on Wednesday. And so far, so good.

The world of football was rocked when, last month, the Porto manager resigned from his post with his hometown club, with whom he had just won the Europa League and domestic title in record time.

Making his point: Villas-Boas was joined by Chelsea legend and new assistant first team coach Roberto Di Matteo

Questions have been raised about how a former manager's assistant would handle the the likes of Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard, some of whom Villas-Boas would have shared a classroom with had they gone to the same school.

He comes with pedigree, certainly, but Carlo Ancelotti, a man with a decade in management at the very highest level, and a stellar playing career to boot, struggled to maintain the respect of those on the field after the first bump in the road.

Eyes on the prizes: Villas-Boas is the same age, if not younger, than some of the men he is now in charge of

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Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail