Goal : Andre Villas-Boas has claimed that everytime he leaves players out his Chelsea line-up, he is forced to “suffer”.
Stamford Bridge favourite Frank lampard and record signing Fernando Torres have both seen themselves relegated to the substitutes bench for much of the season and Villas-Boas insists it is not an easy decision.
The Blues boss told Uefa’s The Technician: “I suffer most as a coach when everyone is available and I have to select the line-up at the end of a week when everyone has given their total commitment.
“It is a basic part of the manager’s job, but when you have to leave players out for the sake of the team, it is tough.
“Nothing you can say to them can convince them they haven’t done something wrong.
“This selection process, being ruthless, takes the human element out of you, and it is something that makes you sensitive to players’ feelings.”
Villas-Boas also claims that his age can work for and against him in the high-pressure world of football management.