Chelsea's John Obi Mikel has criticized former coach of the Blues, Andre Villas-Boas, saying it was the lack of communication with the players by the Portuguese that led to his eventual firing.

''The communication was not right. AVB is a great manager. He has done well for himself and is only young. But when you are young, coming into a business like this you are going to make mistakes,'' Mikel told The Sun UK.

Adds Mikel: ''From the start of this season, I was one of the key players in the team. But there were a few rotations early on and it was difficult. You think you have played well in a game and the manager then leaves you out. You don’t know the reason why. Things like this went on through everyone’s head and not just mine.''

Chelsea end their EPL campaign on Sunday with a home game against Blackburn Rovers. To qualify for the lucrative UEFA Champions League next season, they have a mandate : to beat Bayern Munich next Saturday.