AVB did not respect Lampard: Alex

Alex
7 March 2012

Former Chelsea defender Alex has accused Andre Villas-Boas of disrespecting Frank Lampard.

Villas-Boas' fractious relationship with Lampard dogged his eight-month reign, which ended with the Portuguese's sacking on Sunday. He also froze both Alex and Nicolas Anelka out of the first-team squad in November after the pair handed in transfer requests.

Alex, who joined Paris St Germain in January, told O Jogo: "Andre is not the kind of person who talks a lot, he's someone who is a bit closed. That's just the way he is. I saw some comments of Lampard recently and I think he deserved more respect."

He added: "It is true that a player knows he will sometimes have to stay on the bench, especially after reaching a certain age. That's not a problem.

"But with Lampard's history at the club, where he has more than 10 years, he deserves a word or an explanation from the manager. Fundamentally, it was a question of respect for everything that he represents for Chelsea."

Alex also questioned claims player power drove Villas-Boas out of the club.

"I think it makes little sense to say that there was a hardcore who did not want Andre to continue," he said.

"If you look carefully, (John) Terry and Ashley Cole always played, (Didier) Drogba and even Fernando (Torres) had lots of opportunities.

"We, the players, often have a habit when things go wrong of blaming the coach. But that's not true. Sometimes things don't go well for the team due to little details, like a lack of luck, or poor form from some of us.

"In the end, it was good I had a problem there because I came to a great club and city."

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