London: There's a new Portuguese prince on the King's Road but ignore the Special One-Two comparisons. Andre Villas-Boas is not the new Jose Mourinho.

The sporting gods broke the mould with him, deciding one was quite enough drama to be going on with. Equally driven, Villas-Boas is less confrontational than his compatriot and has a chance of surviving in the demanding court of Roman Abramovich.

For all the problems stalking every managerial appointment at Stamford Bridge, it is impossible not to be excited by Villas-Boas's arrival. Only 33, and with a short but impressive body of work already to his name, Villas-Boas will bring energy, ideas, and that can-do positivity of youth.

With so many footballing stars gravitating towards La Liga, or already sparkling in that Spanish galaxy, it is a fillip for the Premier League that such a talked-about individual as Villas-Boas, however unproven as a coach in the Champions League, should come to England.

Some gold dust has just been sprinkled on English football. A fascinating new character has been written into the script for the 2011-2012 Premier League soap opera. The regulars' reaction will be a gauntlet thrown down and a glass of good wine raised.

At 67, Sir Alex Ferguson is more than double Villas-Boas' age yet these newcomers simply serve to keep the Scot's fire burning. Kenny Dalglish is up for the challenge with Liverpool. Roberto Mancini oversees a Manchester City side emboldened by that craved trophy. Arsene Wenger will surely address Arsenal's obvious mettle fatigue.

Classic race

Next season could be a classic race and Chelsea will be in the thick of it.

Before Villas-Boas can be welcomed properly, two sadnesses must be stated for the record. Firstly, that Abramovich could dismiss such a highly capable manager as Carlo Ancelotti, a Double-winner scarcely 12 months before. Still an inexplicable decision.

Secondly, that the great Guus Hiddink has not been tempted to return. The experienced Hiddink, an acknowledged alchemist, would have walked into the dressing room and organised Chelsea immediately. Everyone would have expected that. The critics will also look at Villas-Boas and demand a Hiddink-style instant impact.

The new kid on the chopping block at Chelsea sounds open to advice so here are some friendly words of guidance: Don't use the word special. Too Jose. Avoid coats. Far too Jose. Wear a suit, as if to set yourself apart from the players. Show some courtesy to referees — very un-Jose — even if they send you up the wall and over into Brompton Cemetery. Appoint a savvy No. 2, somebody who echoes the strengths of Steve Clarke, now at Liverpool.

It's an obvious thing to say to a manager about a player but Villas-Boas must get John Terry onside. The new man needs the support of the old guard in the dressing room. The pair know each other, following Villas-Boas' time as Mourinho's opposition scout, and Terry will undoubtedly have benefited from Villas-Boas' reports.

If Terry and Frank Lampard back Villas-Boas, as expected, the new manager still has a huge call to make on the future of Didier Drogba. The Ivorian with the powerful personality clearly cannot blend with Fernando Torres, Abramovich's chosen one, and his mood will be heavily scrutinised if left on the bench, kicking his heels behind Villas-Boas. Life might be easier for Chelsea's new manager if Drogba was moved on with thanks for the memories.

Dealing with politics

Villas-Boas will at least have some understanding of the complicated club politics, and the need for regular communication with Abramovich and his people. He must quickly learn the subtlest way to nudge the Russian and his advisers away from players he does not want. Whoever Villas-Boas brings in, they must hit the ground running. Patience is not in abundant supply at Chelsea. One bookmaker was already taking bets on Vitor Pereira, who succeeded Villas-Boas in northern Portugal, following him in south-west London. First Mourinho, now Villas-Boas with Pereira at 16-1.

For Abramovich it seems a case of any Porto coach in a storm. Villas-Boas' recruitment makes England's elite division even more the League of Nations.

The English coaching university at St George's Park in Burton cannot open soon enough.

The Football Association needs to develop good new coaches as well as new players.

There is home-grown talent out there, the likes of Lee Clark at Huddersfield Town and Simon Grayson at Leeds United, among others, but they also need to be given chances.

Villas-Boas has been handed a golden opportunity that others covert jealously. Expect him to seize the chance. He's good.

— The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2011