Villas-Boas: No problem with Chelsea players texting Mourinho

Andre Villas-Boas insists he has no problem with his players texting former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Villas-Boas’ former employer, Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, had claimed earlier this week that the 34-year-old will not be able to succeed at Chelsea while his players are still in touch with Mourinho.

However, Villas-Boas is adamant that texting former players is perfectly normal.

When asking about the texting issue, Villas-Boas said: "It’s normal - I have emotional attachment to the people I have managed in Academica and Porto. And I text them and they text back.

"It’s really normal for manager relationships with players they’ve managed before. For sure I have no problem with [my players texting Mourinho]."

Villas-Boas also played down suggestions that he had rowed with his squad after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton, and insists he only needs the approval of his owner.

"[After the game we had] a meeting of technical staff and players - nothing dramatic," he added. "They (the players) don’t have to back my project - it’s the owner that backs my project.

"The owner has full trust in me and we’ll continue to progress with the ideas that we have."