Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has hailed the mental toughness shown by midfielder John Obi Mikel in the wake of his father's kidnapping.

For the second week running, Mikel has volunteered to continue playing, despite the trauma of knowing Michael Obi is being held captive in his family's native Nigeria.

Mikel's representatives confirmed on Thursday a "sizeable" ransom had been demanded for the release of the midfielder's father, who was abducted last week.

Villas-Boas broke the news of the kidnapping to Mikel on Saturday, 24 hours before Chelsea's opening Barclays Premier League game of the season at Stoke.

The 24-year-old insisted he wanted to play and almost capped a fine display with his first goal in English football.

Villas-Boas acknowledged the response of Mikel, who has also put his hand up for Saturday's clash with West Brom, had demonstrated "amazing mental toughness".

He added: "I just have to go with the word my player gives to me and for the game against Stoke, Mikel felt well to play.

"People go through big disappointments and personal things in their lives and they can still be able to play because they feel well on the pitch, to avoid the things that are running in their personal lives and they can focus on on different things.

"Mikel made himself available for training and selection so I will just judge it like that.

"Players react in different ways.

"Some players want straight away to go back to their families, others prefer to be like this and live on day by day, not because they think they are distanced from where it is happening, but it's their choice."

Villas-Boas admitted it had been "difficult" breaking the news to Mikel but would not be drawn on further discussions between the pair.

"I wouldn't like to go into it - it's a pretty sensitive situation and pretty traumatic," he said.

"Hopefully, he can get this thing solved as soon as possible that's what we hope for."

Mikel's desire to play has avoided a possible midfield headache for Villas-Boas, who has acknowledged Chelsea are light in that area.

The club have already seen two bids rejected for Tottenham's Luka Modric, while reports in Spain claim Valencia have accepted an offer in the region of £27million for Juan Mata.

Villas-Boas already faces several selection dilemmas ahead of his first home game in charge.

The Portuguese must choose between Hilario and Ross Turnbull in goal, with Petr Cech out injured, and also decide whether to stick with Fernando Torres in attack.

The Spaniard looked a £50million man reborn at Stoke, despite failing to score.

Villas-Boas has been at Stamford Bridge for less than two months but he is already beginning to tire of questions about the striker.

"He has continually shown his qualities in the Premier League," he said.

"I think I have responded enough to questions about him sufficiently, in my opinion. Let's move on.

"In terms of collective, team performance and team results, I am happy. We can discuss individuals but let's try to expand it a bit more."

Last week's 0-0 draw at the Britannia Stadium meant Chelsea go into Saturday 's game already trailing Manchester United and Manchester City in the table after their title rivals both won last weekend.

"We have two games at home that we must do everything in our power to get three points out of," said Villas-Boas, whose side also host promoted Norwich a week tomorrow [Saturday].

"Because it's seven points and can get us into a good position.

"It's two games at home and you have to win them."

He added: "My perspective on winning the league doesn't change because it's our commitment to win the league.

"I think in the beginning, for all the top teams, you can have average performances."

Villas-Boas' first big test as Chelsea boss is also on the horizon - next month's trip to Old Trafford.

Asked what he made of their game against Saturday's opponents last Sunday, he replied: "They suffered a few injuries unfortunately for them but they are a strong team, one of the favourites for the title, why not? Champions League finalists.

"All of the good signs for Manchester United are there - just the result, whatever the performance, although it's not up to me to judge the performance.

"I have my own opinions, which I wouldn't like to share but it's three points at the start of the Premier League."

Espnstar.com