Lampard admits having issues with Villas-Boas

London: Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has revealed that his relationship with his manager Andre Villas-Boas is under great strain.

Lampard demonstrated his enduring value to Chelsea in the club's hour of need, scoring a fine volley and setting up another as they beat Bolton 3-0 on Saturday.

There have been rumours that Lampard and Villas-Boas have been at loggerheads all season because the England international is unhappy about the number of games for which he has been selected.

However, Lampard does not want to focus on the unharmonious situation the pair find themselves in. He told reporters: “I think, from the outside, you can probably see that it's not been ideal but the important thing is not to focus on individual relationships too much. It can only be negative and people do like to play on negatives."

Speculation over the last few weeks has suggested that Lampard is not the only member of the Chelsea dressing room not seeing eye-to-eye with the former Porto boss this season.

Lampard seemed to agree, saying, “There have been certain issues. Certain players, we don't like not to play. But it's never a case of players throwing their toys out of the pram to the detriment of the club."

“I've been here a long time, I'm 33, I'm realistic. It doesn't mean I want to play every game but, if I sit on the bench, I want to see Chelsea win."

The England international, though, prefers to focus on trying to improve the team's position.

"I'm sure we're all frustrated at the minute, everyone who's involved, especially people who have got Chelsea in their hearts, who have been here a long time and want to see us performing as we should do."

“The only way we can push on from now and secure Champions League football next year, potentially move through in the FA Cup and the Champions League this year, is to be positive."

"It's in the club's interest. It's not about any one individual here and negative things can take the shine off it."

Villas-Boas had earlier calmly brushed off any suggestions that the club’s owner Roman Abramovich had told him to start Lampard, Ashley Cole and Michael Essien, who were all missing from the side that was beaten 3-1 by Napoli in the week.

The beleaguered manager used a touch of sarcasm to deal with that particular issue, telling reporters: “What are you trying to say? Of course, it's a coincidence. I got the call just this morning to play them, all three of them."

“The day that I feel disrespected in some way about my professionalism, you will find a different person speaking to you."

The decision to leave out the trio for the Champions League game in Naples had exposed Villas-Boas to suggestions of further unrest within the camp, but he explained their recall to the side that beat Bolton purely in terms of tactics and rotation.

Villas-Boas added: “We got back to our normal 4-3-3, three fresh legs on the pitch. So I think [that is] pretty straightforward."

"Lamps has always been competing for the place since he returned from injury and played against Everton. He had his chance and played fantastically well. Normal squad rotation and nothing new."