Andre Villas-Boas has accused Chelsea of playing "invisible" football and lacking style or identity since the days of Jose Mourinho as he prepares to return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since his sacking by Roman Abramovich last season.

The Tottenham Hotspur manager, who needs victory in tonight's derby to fire his hopes of Champions League qualification, which could in turn thwart those of his previous employer, conceded that Chelsea had done "what matters" in modern football with their recent run of trophies.

Chelsea went on to win the Champions League last year after Villas-Boas’s dismissal in March, not to mention the FA Cup, but it was clear that he felt they had made compromises in terms of their playing style which impacted on the achievement.

"In the end, it's brought them success and sometimes success is what matters in football – independent of the style," Villas-Boas said. "I have a different opinion. I think if you don't have a style, it makes you invisible in football. Only teams with style succeed. But, in the end, success is normally what matters in modern Europe. "

Guardian Service