The Roberto Di Matteo Thread

[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

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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 8,883]

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

[Manuf 1,448]

not good enough, lost 3 games in pre-season.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

not good enough, lost 3 games in pre-season.

But won three in the EPL

[Kez 2,727]

For those of you with short memories....

[zolayes 14,489]

but we lost today .....so all that counts for nothing

[Rowan_Osborn 58]

For those of you with short memories....

Absolutely spot on. This was a poor day at the office, but this was a pointless game. in Every game that has mattered RDM has shown he can do well.

[Sheva. 5,373]

The only criticism of him i have is that he shouldn't be playing the same team every game - everyone knows we will play the same back 5, Mikel + Lampard, then Ramires on the right - sometimes it's good to mix it up - which tbf he did against Newastle, more of that please.