Ghana midfielder Michael Essien is reported to be among the top Chelsea players who revolted against manager Andres Villas Boas before their 3-1 defeat against Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday. Villas-Boas, 34, held a clear-the-air meeting where he asked them for honest opinions on their recent poor results. Lampard and Essien were forthright in their views – but it was Cole who spoke out most strongly. The England left-back told Villas-Boas, “I came here to win medals and trophies, but I’m never going to do that with your tactics.” He is also unhappy as he feels “like a robot” with Villas-Boas telling him exactly how to play, rather than giving him freedom. Chelsea’s players were infuriated when their three teammates were put on the bench for speaking out ahead of the Champions League last 16 clash. The boss even told Cole “you made it personal”. Cole was further angered when he saw his manager on TV claiming that he had been left out over concerns that he was not fully fit. Cole underwent gruelling extra fitness training and insisted he was 100 per cent ready to play. And Cole made a mockery of Villas-Boas’ claims when he was called into action after 12 minutes following an injury to Jose Bosingwa. The Portuguese manager was in no mood to discuss his team selection after the match, and insisted he would be in charge for the second leg. “I have full confidence from the owner. Manager for the second leg? Yes, for sure. It’s a team selection, I can go on and explain but it makes no difference,” he said. “It was based on what was fair at that moment, the best team.”