It's Andre Villas-Boas vs Chelsea for the Tottenham manager

After a long international break, the focus is back on the Premier League. With Tottenham set to play Chelsea this weekend, the spotlight will be on one man – Andre Villas-Boas. It feels like a lot of time has passed since AVB was at Chelsea, loved by fans, media and players alike. However, it has been only 6 months since Di Matteo replaced AVB as the boss. The Champions League and FA cup success made us forget everything about the man who was supposed to be ‘The Special One-2?. From being a tactical genius, to being a failure; AVB has seen a lot at a very young age.

Only a year back, AVB was basking in his brilliant treble success with Porto. Every club wanted to secure the signature of the next Jose Mourinho. After all the hype, it was Chelsea who managed to secure the services of AVB after paying off £13.3 million release money to Porto.

AVB started off very well in Chelsea. The credit for purchasing Juan Mata definitely goes to Villas-Boas. With smart purchases and a good start to the season, Chelsea fans felt that this was going to be their dream season, which it was, but not because of AVB. As the season progressed, everything seemed to go wrong for the Blues. Within days, AVB was seen as an immature and stubborn manager. His treatment of senior players and the unsuccessful high-line tactic were the main causes of his downfall. The media turned against him, the players turned against him, the fans turned against him, and everyone realised that the Portuguese has a lot to learn yet.

After AVB was sacked, few thought that he will return to premier league so soon. However, it is like Villas-Boas never left. Within 5 months, AVB is back as the Tottenham manager.

After his appointment, Villas-Boas managed to make smart purchases yet again. Among all the managers in EPL, one can dare to say that AVB has the best eye for talent. At Chelsea it was Mata, Romeu, Bamford and many talented youth players. At Tottenham it is Moussa Dembele and Hugo Lloris. Even Oscar and Marin of Chelsea were shortlisted by AVB a year back. As a manager, AVB knows the players he wants and what is best for the team.

Unfortunately, AVB’s brilliant eye for talent was beaten by his poor man management skills. 8 months into the job, Boas was facing mutiny by some of his own players. The change which he wanted to do at Chelsea was done too quickly, and in a very irrational manner. Keeping Lampard and Terry on the bench without any quality players to replace them was his biggest mistake. His treatment of Anelka and Alex, when they put in a transfer request, was also uncalled for. These are the things which Di Matteo set right and led Chelsea to a historic double.

Early into this season, it looks like AVB has learned from his mistakes at Chelsea. After a slow start, Spurs have managed to win their last 4 games in a row. Defoe seems to be rejuvenated under AVB and praises from all players are flowing in.

If there is a problem, or something we feel is not right, his door is open. He wants us to work that way: together, the players and staff, and if there is a problem we can always share our ideas with him and he will take it on board.

For example, if we feel we are working too hard in training, if we say that to him, then he’ll ease it off. He’s still learning as well as a manager but he does all the coaching and everything himself, which is great. Every manager is different and he has his own ways of working. Sometimes it just takes a little bit of time. – Bale

The situation is very similar to last year. A good start, praises from players, but still a bad end. The Hugo Lloris and Brad Friedel issue can still be AVB’s undoing, although, till now everything seems to be fine.

Playing Chelsea, who have won 7 of their last 8 games in EPL, AVB has a lot to prove to his naysayers. This season, Chelsea is playing the football which AVB wanted to play last season. Di Matteo has managed to rotate his players perfectly without causing any dissent among the players. In short what AVB got wrong, RDM got right.

For AVB, the derby will be a match to prove that he still has it in him to become a successful manager. If Spurs win, the fans and players will get behind their manager, and Tottenham will become a force to be reckoned this season. The fans and media will feel that the Spurs victory against Manchester United was not a fluke. The victory against Chelsea will be a vindication of his tactics and style.

Winning against his old club and table leaders will certainly make AVB happy. His time at Chelsea was not pleasant and a victory will be the right way to hit Chelsea where it hurts. It will also be the perfect moment to kick-start a very successful managerial career.