Villas-Boas happy to maintain current situation at Chelsea

The 33-year-old was appointed as the club’s new boss last month after impressing during a trophy-laden spell at Porto.

Villas-Boas has since been linked with a plethora of players, with Tottenham’s Luka Modric and West Ham midfielder Scott Parker mooted as potential targets.

Young Genk goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois looks set to be the first new signing of the Villas-Boas regime after the Portuguese boss admitted a deal was in place, although he was keen to stress no drastic changes will be made to the existing squad.

“I am still evaluating things at the moment,” he said after watching his side defeat Portsmouth 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at Fratton Park. “It is not that I have to change things radically and I will take it step by step.

“I think it is pretty obvious that we will go into the market at one time or the other but not with radical changes to the team.”

Carlton Cole, meanwhile, insists he remains as committed as ever to West Ham and is happy to spearhead their promotion challenge from the Championship – unless told otherwise.

The striker’s proposed move to Stoke fell through on Friday after the Hammers had already accepted an undisclosed bid for his services from the Potter.

The exact reason as to why the deal collapsed is not known although West Ham released a statement suggesting the England international was unable to agree personal terms, at the same time dismissing reports of an injury as well as speculation his wage demands were too high.

And as Cole once again prepares to pull on a claret and blue shirt for Wednesday’s friendly at FC Copenhagen, he insists he is ready for what will be a demanding season in the Championship.

“I am as committed to West Ham as always,” he said. “I am a West Ham player and have no knowledge that is going to be any different. Unless I am told something different, I am a West Ham player.”