Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck denies player power cost Andre Villas-Boas his job last season.

Buck denies that John Terry runs the club, or that player power is too strong at Stamford Bridge.

In fact it was Roman Abramovich's 'termination' of the Portuguese which led Chelsea directly to their ultimate goal; Champions League glory.

He told the London Evening Standard: "It didn't take the players to tell us we were not going in the right direction. I knew that, Mr Abramovich knew that.

"When Andre left, we were in a very difficult situation about to be bounced out of the Champions League, doing very poorly in the Premier League.

"The proof is in the pudding: Andre was terminated and we wound up winning two trophies. I want to hear you congratulate Mr Abramovich and Chelsea for making that change."