Gary Cahill believes Andre Villas-Boas has proved he is a great manager at Tottenham.
Villas-Boas is returning to Stamford Bridge for the first time since being sacked by Chelsea in March 2012 after just eight months in charge. The 35-year-old Portuguese joined Spurs in the summer and has impressed in his second job in England.
Tottenham trail Chelsea by three points in the race for the top four with three games remaining and Cahill believes Villas-Boas has demonstrated the talent which took Porto to the treble in 2011.
He told Standard Sport: “I don’t think there is any question he is a top manager. Unfortunately for him it didn’t work out for him at Chelsea but he has moved on, stayed in the Premier League and done a great job.
“He inherited some fantastic players but he has done really well. They’re a strong outfit and it’s going to be hard to beat them.
“He has done well there and at previous clubs before Chelsea. I’m sure he will keep doing well at Spurs, just hopefully not tonight.”
The England international admits Chelsea have to stop Gareth Bale in order to get the three points they need to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Spurs won’t be able to bridge the gap if they lose because of their inferior goal difference.
Bale has scored 25 goals in 41 games for Spurs this term but Cahill has warned his team-mates not to ignore the rest of Villas-Boas’s players.
He added: “They’re not a one-man team. Bale has had a phenomenal season. The second half has been even stronger. He has gone from strength to strength.”
