Boss Andre Villas-Boas has reiterated he will not bring Alex in from the cold, even if it means Chelsea starting Boxing Day's west London derby with John Terry as their only fit centre-half.

Villas-Boas was asked on Wednesday whether he would reverse his decision to banish Alex from his first-team squad should the club suffer an injury crisis.

Despite having previously claimed Alex and Nicolas Anelka, who were sidelined after submitting transfer requests, could force their way back into his plans, he declared the former would not be recalled - even if the worst happened.

Barely 24 hours later, it did, with Branislav Ivanovic limping out of Thursday night's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at Tottenham.

Asked afterwards if he had changed his mind about Alex ahead of Monday's game against Fulham, Villas-Boas simply said: "No.''In fairness, Chelsea coped admirably at White Hart Lane with the loss of Ivanovic, despite Jose Bosingwa being forced to move from right-back to centre-half for what was possibly the first time in his entire Stamford Bridge career.

Paulo Ferreira also impressed at right-back having not previously featured in the Premier League this season.

"This was a fantastic adaptation and another solution that we have in the squad,'' Villas-Boas said.

With Ivanovic almost certainly out of Monday's match, Villas-Boas was hoping David Luiz would return from the knee problem that has sidelined him from the last two games.

Otherwise, he insisted he would even consider playing young midfielder Oriol Romeu alongside Terry rather than turn to Alex.

"Hopefully, David can return for contention for the game against Fulham,'' he said.

"But, if not, from Oriol to Bosingwa, both can play in that position - and Paulo has done it in the past.''

Fourth-placed Chelsea are also fighting to get back into contention in a title race which sees them 11 points behind leaders Manchester City but Villas-Boas was expecting a backlash from a Fulham side thrashed 5-0 at home by Manchester United on Wednesday night.

He said: "A result like that, also the result that they got in the Europa League, generates revolt and generates anger, which can fuel emotions for a London derby that is extremely difficult for us.''

Fulham manager Martin Jol believes Chelsea's appointment of Villas-Boas is proof that if you are good enough, you are old enough.

The 34-year-old was handed the Stamford Bridge reins in the summer, despite his tender years and limited managerial experience.

Villas-Boas led former club Porto to four trophies last season, including a Europa League crown that saw him become the youngest manager to win a European club title.

Jol comes head-to-head with the man 21 years his junior on Boxing Day and is full of admiration for the Chelsea boss, especially having overcome mounting external pressure.

"I sympathise with all the managers but that is the business,'' the Dutchman said.

"If you are not fulfilling the expectations of the people around you it is always problem.

"The only thing is to get results and points on the board - then it is the best life ever.

"If you do not, you are struggling. I am, though, not surprised by his age.

"I think it is quite adventurous and challenging to [appoint somebody of the age]. Someone who won the Europa League, some titles in Portugal, like Jose Mourinho before him.

"He is quite young but I do not think it is about age.

"It is the same on the field, too. My player [Kerim] Frei showed he is good enough to play at 18 so I do not think about it.''

Jol has stuck with the mantra of talent being more important than age this season, blooding a number of younger players into the first team.

Frei was among those handed their senior debut and he has so far impressed the Fulham manager.

"As I said, it doesn't matter how young you are,'' Jol said.

"He came on against Swansea and earned a penalty. He played against Chelsea and did the same.

"He played against Odense in the Europa League and set-up the first goal and scored the second.

"That is something we can build on and it can push other players because he does not have a lack of confidence, shall we say.''

Fulham have no fresh injury concerns but Steve Sidwell is unlikely to feature despite returning to training after a hernia operation.

Match

Let's hope Chelsea wins her first EPL dearby this season.
Chelsea 3:1 Fulham.

chelsea 1 : 3 fulham

Sorry guys,pls did i jst hear that Osaze has turned down a 160million naira monthly wage by ANZHI ?
Wont he regret dis later? Or does he really think he is good and can prove himself at Westbrom?

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soterslove:

Sorry guys,pls did i jst hear that Osaze has turned down a 160million naira monthly wage by ANZHI ?
Wont he regret dis later? Or does he really think he is good and can prove himself at Westbrom?

I bet he can't refuse such offer. . . .better for him to start planning his retirement benefit, lol.

Chelsea's team vs Fulham: Cech; Bosingwa, D Luiz, JT (c), Cole; Meireles, Romeu, Lamps; Sturridge, Torres, Mata. -
subs: Turnbull, Ferierar, McEachran, Malouda, Kalou, Lukaku, Drogba

wow poor boy , Tores unlucky again

Dumb crosses from bose. . Whats the point when theres no one there?

chelsea pls wake up now!

Goooal,Mata Chelsea 1

goooooaaaalllll Fulham!

1  -1

GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Fulham. Chelsea goal now doesn't MATA.

thats what i keep saying David luiz is just useless , he will neve be a great defender , his primary assignment he always lack , only to be going forward trying to check personal glory  

wetin dey worry this fuiham dem no wan win see as dem play as if they re comfortable wit 1 : 1

Zoro Fereira comes on

No atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea fans need to start cheering their team on !

So it is confirmed now that any day Daniel Sturridge and Mata did not perform well no hope for Chelsea.It beats my imagination that non of the attackers there are doing well enough like in other clubs.

awesome result for Fulham, now I'm praying for Man U to go down though highly unlikely.

Another draw again

Hahahhahahahhahaha ! before nko? [b]what do you expect from a small team playing against another small team? [/b]Draw !! there is nothing special about chelsea, they just love wasting money and pretending to be a big club. big spending is not same as being a big club. yeye club. very soon you shall go the way of Queens park rangers and shefield wednesday !!