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AVB cites Terry’s importance in Napoli tiff

Comment: 0 February 20th, 2012 by: admin

WITH His fate hanging in the balance, Andre Villas-Boas is making one gamble for Chelsea in their Champions League clash with Napoli on Tuesday.

The embattled boss is fielding in John Terry despite the latter’s fitness still in question.

A loss against the Italian side could pave the way for the Portuguese mentor’s sacking so he is set to take the risk in the round-of-16 first-leg tiff.

Terry, himself in the line of controversy brought about by his racial slur case against Queens Park Rangers’ Anton Ferdinand, missed the Blues’ awful 1-1 FA Cup draw against Birmingham on Saturday.

But he returned to training last Sunday after three weeks of absence due to a knee injury. However, he was listed as “doubtful’’ for the important tussle at the Stadio San Paolo.

Despite that, Villas-Boas is set to give his captain a chance to prove he is fit to see action for the Stamford Bridge club.

Terry is rated as a perfect foil to Napoli main man Edinson Cavani and Villas-Boas sees his player as a key element in their bid to progress to the next round of the prestigious tournament and at the same time ease some pressure on him.

“What we are trying to do with John is to respect his importance for the team,’’ said Villas-Boas. “We will try to give him a late fitness test to give him every chance.’’

Villas-Boas acknowledged Napoli as a dangerous squad with Cavani leading the attack.

The Uruguayan is in fact being targeted by Chelsea in the summer and Villas-Boas describes him as an “amazing player.’’

The under-fire Portuguese manager added they need to be more competent and play well to take the game to Stamford Bridge.

“If  you go past Napoli then you can have a really good chance, depending on who you get in the draw,’’ he said.

Villas-Boas had earlier admitted that Chelsea are suffering from a confidence crisis but he insisted his job will not depend on the outcome of the Napoli tie.

“Napoli is a strong team, but we are a strong team – we still believe,’’ he added.

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