Andre Villas-Boas wanted Scott Parker at Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that he tried to sign midfielder Scott Parker when he was in charge of Chelsea last season.

The England international left the Blues for Newcastle United in the summer of 2005 after just one-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge.

"I spoke with Scotty to come back to Chelsea last season," The Independent quotes the Portuguese as saying.

"He's an important player, an England international and a great professional and somebody of great ability.

"He can always give you an extra edge on the pitch with his leadership. He's back to full fitness and a player we trust a lot. It's important to have people like him around us."

Parker joined Tottenham from West Ham United in 2011.