Villas-Boas backs Chelsea for title charge

Andre Villas-Boas insists Chelsea can mount a strong challenge to regain the Premier League title even though his first match in charge ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw at Stoke.

Villas-Boas watched his new team fail to secure an opening day victory for the first time in 12 seasons as Stoke produced a typically obdurate display at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

"Last year we finished second. We are here because we want to finish first. Regarding the transfer market, we don't know what we're going to do," the former Porto boss said.