Chelsea vs Norwich - Villa Boas on new signing Mata | English Premier League 2011
ANDRE Villas-Boas says Chelsea may yet make last-minute signings before the transfer window closes, but that he is more than happy to work with what he has if they don't.
The Blues this week tied up a deal with Valencia for winger Juan Mata -- who is unlikely to feature against Norwich City on Saturday -- but Uruguyan international Alvaro Pereira is unlikely to be added.
Villa-Boas is keen to be re-united with the Porto left-back, who played for this year's Copa America winners, but says the clubs are 'miles apart' in terms of agreeing a transfer fee.
"It gets frenetic in the last week of the market and I think it will be a good time for managers when it closes on the 31st and this ongoing situation doesn't continue," Villas-Boas said.
"We are perhaps short in midfield in terms of numbers but are happy with the adaptations we have made -- Florent Malouda was excellent in midfield on Saturday. We can find solutions in the squad to keep us happy.
"I think it's too early for Mata, but we will decide tomorrow. This league is very specific in terms of intensity, emotionally and culturally. It doesn't mean that he's not threatening the starting XI, but I think two training sessions is short for creating new playing relationships."
Villas-Boas admits he is not that clued up about the Canaries, but greatly respects their record.
"In can't go in depth on Norwich, but I know last year they had a fantastic season," the Chelsea boss said. "An incredible amount of goals were scored coming up twice.
"I think [manager] Paul Lambert likes to organise well his teams and likes to play good attacking football."
Chelsea have a clean bill of health apart from Michael Essien, David Luiz and Petr Cech, although Luiz is back training and has been granted permission to turn out for Brazil in next week's friendly against Ghana. Cech is making good progress and should be OK after the international break.
The Blues this week tied up a deal with Valencia for winger Juan Mata -- who is unlikely to feature against Norwich City on Saturday -- but Uruguyan international Alvaro Pereira is unlikely to be added.
Villa-Boas is keen to be re-united with the Porto left-back, who played for this year's Copa America winners, but says the clubs are 'miles apart' in terms of agreeing a transfer fee.
"It gets frenetic in the last week of the market and I think it will be a good time for managers when it closes on the 31st and this ongoing situation doesn't continue," Villas-Boas said.
"We are perhaps short in midfield in terms of numbers but are happy with the adaptations we have made -- Florent Malouda was excellent in midfield on Saturday. We can find solutions in the squad to keep us happy.
"I think it's too early for Mata, but we will decide tomorrow. This league is very specific in terms of intensity, emotionally and culturally. It doesn't mean that he's not threatening the starting XI, but I think two training sessions is short for creating new playing relationships."
Villas-Boas admits he is not that clued up about the Canaries, but greatly respects their record.
"In can't go in depth on Norwich, but I know last year they had a fantastic season," the Chelsea boss said. "An incredible amount of goals were scored coming up twice.
"I think [manager] Paul Lambert likes to organise well his teams and likes to play good attacking football."
Chelsea have a clean bill of health apart from Michael Essien, David Luiz and Petr Cech, although Luiz is back training and has been granted permission to turn out for Brazil in next week's friendly against Ghana. Cech is making good progress and should be OK after the international break.