Christopher Chang: Capello approach isn't working for Villas-Boas

It doesn't get any easier for Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea. In their last league match, the Blues were gunned down 2-0 by Everton. There was a chance to find solace in the cup competitions, but a 1-1 draw against Birmingham City in the FA Cup and a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Napoli in the Champions League have threatened to destroy any chance of redemption this year.

A few months into his Chelsea reign, AVB was standing on shaky ground. Since then, it's not just results that have gone against him - the players now appear to be turning their backs on the under-fire manager.

So far on paper, the appointment of Villas-Boas has been a failure. His win percentage (47.4%) is lower than any Chelsea manager since Glenn Hoddle, but in his efforts to build his own team he has shaken some of the cornerstones of a Blues side that were so crucial to recent trophy-winning seasons.

Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, and Ashley Cole were dropped to the bench against Napoli, with the left-back praising his former boss before the game: "he always got the best out of his players," he told Sky Sports.

Cole has been untouchable over the past years. Starting with Boswinga in place of Cole clearly indicated a personal rift between player and manager.

It's fair enough that he should want to create a new team and discard players that don't suit his plans. However, that is going to be tough when the fabric of Mourinho's Chelsea identity is woven so tightly into this side. Another stumbling block is that the likes of Terry and Lampard have acquired so much clout over the years at Stamford Bridge that success must be instant to justify his bold actions. That's not to say he's wrong to put players in their place. But those passing judgment will not be as understanding.

The manager admitted that both Lampard and Cole questioned his team selection against Napoli, but he wouldn't go into details. Having earlier claimed that he only needs the backing of Roman Abramovich - and not the support of his players - Villas-Boas has been clear about where his loyalties lie.

He has opted against a softly, softly approach. Instead, he is emphasising an authoritarian streak that screams "Capello". That doesn't bode well at all. The young manager could soon follow a similar path to the Italian: coming into the job full of promise, but failing to control big egos and leaving with a muddied reputation.