Brazilian's

Disaffection within the dressing room was instrumental in Luiz Felipe Scolari's abrupt departure from Stamford Bridge two years ago yet, whereas the Brazilian's reputation had been established as a World Cup-winning coach, Villas-Boas is confident he will be able to impose his thinking on the set-up at Chelsea despite boasting only 20 – albeit supremely successful – months as a manager with Académica and Porto.

André Villas-Boas: 'I'm expected to win straight away at Chelsea' 2011

With Alex transfer-listed and not under consideration – the Brazilian's appearance at Stamford Bridge on Monday was limited to a private visit to the gym next to the stadium – and Paulo Ferreira only a bit-part player at the club these days, Chelsea's fully-fit options at centre-half amount to only Branislav Ivanovic, making Terry's inclusion appear critical.

John Terry limps out of Chelsea training ahead of Tottenham test 2011

Even the Brazilian's trademark arrogance resonated mystically; after an almost miraculous come-from-behind victory in the 1988 Japanese grand prix to win the drivers' championship, he tells the press: "I saw God."

Why two new sports documentaries have messed with my mind | Emma John 2011

The Brazilian's comments broke with the tenor of remarks the day before by several emerging-economy finance chiefs, who argued that countries with a growing share in the world economy be given a shot at leading the globe's last-resort lender.

Brazil Open to Europe-Led IMF John Lyons 2011

Disaffection within the dressing room was instrumental in Luiz Felipe Scolari's abrupt departure from Stamford Bridge two years ago yet, whereas the Brazilian's reputation had been established as a World Cup-winning coach, Villas-Boas is confident he will be able to impose his thinking on the set-up at Chelsea despite boasting only 20 – albeit supremely successful – months as a manager with Académica and Porto.

André Villas-Boas: 'I'm expected to win straight away at Chelsea' 2011

But the timing surprised analysts because the Brazilian's unit's stock is down more than 40% in the past year.

Santander's Capital Move Sara Schaefer Muñoz 2011

But the Brazilian's curiosity has led him into relationships with artists from jazz, hip-hop, electronica and beyond, with this collaboration with guitarist Bill Frisell one of the most sympathetic of his career.

This week's new live music 2011

Barging into the side of the Brazilian's Ferrari, he inflicted damage that seemed to cause Massa to run wide and hit the barrier when the two cars entered the tunnel side by side a few seconds later.

Hothead Lewis Hamilton needs a crash course in humility | Richard Williams 2011

Steve Kean, meanwhile, Blackburn's new manager, insisted the club's ambitious move for Ronaldinho is not yet dead despite the Brazilian's stated desire to remain in his homeland.

Roy Hodgson on the brink as Liverpool slump to ninth league defeat 2011

The Brazilian's arrival might be deemed surprising if only given Wenger's recent conviction that, in Kieran Gibbs and a combination of either Thomas Vermaelen or Bacary Sagna, he boasted enough cover at left-back to prioritise other areas of the team.

Arsène Wenger makes leap of faith by bringing Mertesacker to Arsenal 2011