The Roberto Di Matteo Thread

[Justin_3d 1,140]

A 4 min video from RDM conference posted here:

http://bcove.me/i7vlu5e2

[The Skipper 20,593]

Jarvis on Twitter:

"@Dmitry_Shakhov yeah that was me in cobham yesterday! I'm from down there! #backtopreseasontodaythough"

He was just visiting.

[DavidEU 2,023]

Chelsea TV headlines: RDM confirms to Chelsea TV that Eddie Newton and Steve Holland will stay and form his backroom staff.

No mention of training today though, so assuming that starts tomorrow.

[Kieran. 6,317]

Congrats to Eddie and Steve.

[Slam Dunk 1,442]

I don't think anyone can question Robbie when he says the deal took so long because he was on a long holiday - That's one hell of a man-tan.

[Henrique 9,133]

RDM press conference key notes:

- Spoke to Daniel Sturridge, feeling better, but has Viral Meningitis. Currently still in hospital. Will be monitored daily. Club doctor with him, updated hourly. Hopefully he'll play at the Olympics. Difficult to give a time limit on him, but optimistic.

- Very happy to be staying at the club. Always said he'd accept and respect any decision and is looking forward to working with the group of players to bring more success.

- The pressure of the job will remain the same, a lot of games this season.

- Says the end of last season was 'fantastic' and we have the players to be able to compete again this year. Says at Chelsea you always want/need to be able to compete at all levels/competitions.

- Says the 'shadow of Guardiola' will not be effect him, says its been there since day one.

- Eden Hazard is a 'wonderful player', achieved alot for a player at such a young player. Should not forget he is still young, but will hopefully bring alot of creativity to the team.

- Marin will be versatile, which is very helpful for the team.

- Says he is happy with the team, will continue to monitor the market, and if there is any opportunities we will act.

- Would not discuss Hulk, as the price would increase.

- Benayoun and Malouda are still here, and 'will see what happens'.

- Expects Frank Lampard to return fit when he returns to pre season training.

- Happy for Mata and Torres, says hes congratulated them despite it being against Italy. Said Torres winning golden boot is 'fantastic' and could provide confidence to Fernando for the new season.

- Wished AVB good luck and says he'll be a success at Spurs. Isn't surprised that he got a new job quickly.

- On goal line technology vote this week - RDM is in favour, and says 'its just a matter of a time'.

- On whether he'll be here in six/twelve months time, he says he knows managers are judged by results, and its no different for him than anyone else.

- Went on holiday after Munich, which is why the appointment took longer than expected.

- 'Goal' is too win as many games as we can and challenge in all the competitions we are in. 'Priority' is to challenge.

- Drogba was an outstanding player, but we have to move on, and other players will rise to the occasion and fill the gap he has left. On Torres replacing him, he says we have different options with Torres, Sturridge and Lukaku'.

- Transfer market not about how much we spend, but finding the best players and most functional players for our team.

- Training at Cobham until the 14th, then travelling to America.

- Players from the European Championships have 21 days holiday and then return. So the England players are due to return on the 16th, Cech the 11th, Malouda the 15th, Meireles the 19th, Mata/Torres 22nd. so will start training when the team are in America.

Can you explain the Hulk thing? What did he say exactly.

[Henrique 9,133]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2168984/Roberto-Di-Matteo-hints-continuing-Chelsea-tactics-won-Champions-League.html

this:

And why should he?...why does everyone think we were defensive?...we had the 3rd most goals ever scored by a team in the champions league, and people dont realise this...you have to play defensive to bear barca...inter did it to and won, against bayern it was a home game for them really, and we were missing so many players and had 2 defenders that came back from hamstring tears, other than those 3 games we werent defensive at all, scored 6 against qpr and 5 against tottenham.

- James, London, 4/7/2012 20:56

[francozola 2,040]

Can you explain the Hulk thing? What did he say exactly.

Reporter asked him if we're still trying to sign him and Di Matteo just smiled and said that he cannot discuss these types of things with them as the price would increase if they publicly claim they are interested.

[nachikethas 1,149]

how nice to see audi,sauber,delta logos behind

[Clevemayer 764]

I'm so excited about the new Season, can't wait, let's see if we can compete for the title right from the start, or if we need another Summerclearout for different players to get replacements

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Di Matteo's ready for his reckoning as he learns from mistakes of others

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2171730/Roberto-di-Matteo-ready-action-ASH-WEDNESDAY.html#ixzz20GUBZxx1

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Di Matteo's ready for his reckoning as he learns from mistakes of others

Read more: http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz20GUBZxx1

Good article, this is my favourite part:

Creativity is key and they are making sure that their new signings are getting some special treatment as they prepare for something of a culture shock at Stamford Bridge.

They are certainly protecting their summer investments, with Roman Abramovich’s personal bodyguards chaperoning Hazard and Marin into training each day.

They are important members of the Chelsea squad, part of the future for this team as they prepare for subtle changes to the system.

That creative emphasis is something we've been crying of for.. Well forever now.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres liberated by Eden Hazard as European champions reap benefits in victory

Equally convincing, however, is the theory that Torres’ resurgence is simply another triumph of man-management for Roberto di Matteo. After all, Frank Lampard, John-Obi Mikel, Ashley Cole, Petr Cech and Salomon Kalou are others who have returned to a quality and consistency of performance that was simply not evident under Andre Villas-Boas.

The man-management argument becomes even more compelling upon consideration of how Di Matteo chose to spend the jubilant plane journey from Munich back to Gatwick Airport just 12 hours after Chelsea had been crowned champions of Europe. With the celebrations unfolding all around him, Di Matteo sought out Torres for a heart-to-heart. At the time, Di Matteo was not ever sure he would remain as manager and Torres, in a rare interview, had just placed his own future in doubt by unburdening himself of all the hurt he felt following 18 dreadful months at the club.

“I told Fernando I thought he was part of the future of this club,” said Di Matteo. “I like to communicate with the players and keep those communication lines open. Players thrive on confidence.

“Understandably, there’s frustration when you don’t start such a big game but ultimately we had a big success and everybody was involved in that. I was always very happy with Fernando. Towards the back end of last season he was fantastic. Maybe not scoring but being a provider.”

http://www.telegraph...in-victory.html

------------------

RDM is making big steps day by day.

Keep it up, and in time you will be the big honcho.

And by then all Chelsea fans will be proud displaying the logo, "Made In Chelsea".

[Kezza 1,965]

RDM's form

P: 26 W: 17 D: 5 L: 4

FA Cup, Champions League

He's deffinaltely the real deal.

Don't know how long a honeymoon period lasts, but hey, how longs a peice of string?

Just hope it never ends!

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

3 games in but things are looking good for him. Fuck Pep Guardiola, we have Robbie and if he keeps this up without disturbing any players, wins games with that style we've been craving for a while and starts winning trophies then the future looks good for him as Chelsea manager.

Hes already written in to the clubs history as a player winning the FA cup and a coach winning the CL and FA cup (in a season that minus the two trophies was fucking awful!) If he can continue the good work then I will be very impressed. With Roman hanging over his shoulder though and Pep out of a job for now I don't know whats going to happen next summer, time will tell.

I didn't think he was the right man to rebuild Chelsea but the recruitment has been very good, maybe he is now? Hope we win the Super Cup on Friday, hopefully spur us on to better things like challenging/winning the league, winning the FA cup/League cup and maybe the Club World Cup in December. All in all, trophies is key to him staying in a job.

[warnie_666 1,081]

Well things are looking good alright. The challenge is how he handles the period between November to February. Last 4 seasons, that period has cost us the league title. Winters in England jinx us.

[magic weeds 446]

Can you imagine what will happen to him if we win PL, CC, FA cup, CWC, Supercup and CL this season?

[ZanSnake 1,211]

If we sign a back-up striker, then i thing we might be okay if Robbie goes for a rotation during the winter months, especially with the CWC, EPL, FA Cup, and League Cup games. Maybe that is where players like Yossi and Lucas can get some time. Did what was needed last season and more, and he adds a little Suave to the club imo.

Robbie Di Matteo - Mr Saurve