Blues deny AVB-Abramovich ‘showdown’

Chelsea have dismissed suggestions Andre Villas-Boas is fighting to keep his job following Roman Abramovich’s recent training-ground visit.

Club owner Abramovich watched training on Saturday, increasing speculation that Villas-Boas’ position is under threat.

The Russian was reported to have demanded to know Villas-Boas’ tactics for the following day’s game against Manchester United.

The Blues manager was said to have been ‘shaken’ by the exchange, but Chelsea have insisted Abramovich’s visit to Cobham was not unusual.

“Roman likes to get down to Cobham and watch training whenever he can,” the Press Association quoted a club spokesman as saying.

“He was able to visit on Saturday and he and Andre had a good chat after the training session, which is normal.”