AVB: Spurs team spirit better than Blues

By ESPNSTAR.com staff

Villas-Boas was unceremoniously sacked by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich halfway through last season after a poor showing in the Barclays Premier League which saw them falling out of the title race early on.

Reports of unrest and player-power in the Chelsea dressing room dogged Villas-Boas' time at the Blues, with senior players like Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard openly expressing their unhappiness at the Portuguese manager's managerial style.

However, the 34-year-old was not out of a job for long as he was selected by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to take the club forward.

Villas-Boas' time at the North London club has been smooth so far and despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of star midfielder Luka Modric, he is enjoying his time at the club and was especially pleased with the camaraderie shown by the players in the team.

Responding to questions about how he had been thus far received by the players, Villas-Boas told the Daily Mail: 'It is a question you need to ask the players

"But from my perspective I have been adapting to them. They are enjoying what they are doing."

"You will get a more specific answer from the players, of course. I think the warmth of the group is excellent to see. It is two different groups reacting differently. We have seen the spirit of this group and it is different from what I had last year."

Villas-Boas was also keen to play down the furore surrounding Gareth Bale's non-participation in the Olympic Games.

Bale had declared himself unfit to be selected for the Olympics squad but took part in Tottenham's pre-season friendly against LA Galaxy, even getting on the scoresheet for that game.

"I haven't been in England to the heat of the response from the fans," said Villas Boas.

"I can understand their frustration for missing a player of Gareth's dimensions involved with Team GB. But everything was done as it should be."

This issue also drew the ire of FIFA president Sepp Blatter who condemned the Welsh winger's behaviour.

Villas-Boas was however unimpressed with Blatter's comments and claimed Bale was genuinely disappointed with having to miss out on the Olympics due to injury.

"It was approved by the FA doctors regarding his injury, so for me it is the end of story."

"I can't make a comment because he is the FIFA president. But he has decided to speak, maybe not knowing the full extent of the situation. They are unfortunate comments."

"Gareth made his feelings aware (about playing for Team GB) and how disappointed he was when not being called up. For sure he is feeling frustrated that he cannot play."

Tottenham Hotspur will kick off the new Premier League campaign away at Newcastle and will meet Chelsea on 20^th October.