AVB insists there is no rift with Lampard

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Andre Villas-Boas has shrugged off reports of a rift between the Chelsea manager and Frank Lampard.

The Blues boss insisted his relationship with Lampard was “excellent” despite the player recently suggesting it was “not ideal.”

Lampard is unhappy at being overlooked for much of this season, which Villas-Boas says he understands and accepts.

Villas-Boas said: “Frank’s words are genuine. They are genuine from a player that has a reflection of the relationship between us. For me, it’s fine – I have no problem with it.

“It’s just a manager-player relationship in the end. I have to choose the team and I try to choose the best team for every game.

“It hasn’t involved Frank a couple of times but it doesn’t mean I have a personal problem with him. These are decisions I took for the benefit of the team.”

Villas-Boas, whose side face West Brom on Saturday, also recently denied reports of a fall-out with Ashley Cole.

Lampard and Cole were reported to be furious after being left out for the Champions League game against Napoli.

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