🇮🇹 Roberto Di Matteo

[Cripen 110]

Just like many of you I really like that he gave a chance to Bertrand. Also Im happy that he trust in all of our players not just his favourite 13-15 players and that paid off.

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

Tactics and all that aside, I personally love the way Robbie conducts himself. Proper gent

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I think di Matteo certainly has put forward his case for inclusion - but I fear this is just a case of the players spitting their dummies out again. Under AVB we saw they were more than capable of playing how they currently are, but almost out of spite they refused to show the same commitment that they did under Hiddink or Mourinho, for instance. It was almost as if as soon as they realised things were going south, that they could not be bothered anymore and that they were just biding their time until his eventual sacking. They let Villas-Boas down just like they did with Ancelotti, and I fear they would do the same with di Matteo if they were given the chance. He has been savvy and kept them onside by playing a lot of the 'old guard' and rotating the squad as well as he possibly can, giving gametime to everyone and thus getting a happier squad as a result. What he has done deserves great respect and I think all it has done has endear a Chelsea legend to the fans to an even greater extent.

But I fear that if he gets the job, he'll have got more than he bargained for. Let's be frank; he isn't the tactician that Mourinho was, nor does he possess Hiddink's motivational skills. Whilst he has got it right more times than wrong, I still fear this is a case of Avram Grant all over again - he might have been the coach, but he certainly wasn't the manager of the club. That duty befell the likes of Terry, Ballack and Drogba and they led the club to a Quadruple of near-misses. 2007/08 was the greatest ever Chelsea team in my opinion, and we underachieved. We did the same under Hiddink; we should have got to the final of the Champions League that season.

Finding the perfect man for the Chelsea job isn't an impossible task, because we found him in 2004. We need a man who can handle the pressure delivered from the players, the media, and of course the owner, and as much as I respect him, I do not think di Matteo has these credentials. He certainly has the fans onside and the players have his back (for now), but I don't think he'll get the job because if he was going to, Roman would have offered it to him by now. Instead we only have reports that he's set for an interview in the summer, and that the 'interim' part of his title isn't there to humour the press; it is very much an apt choice of phrase.

It just seems to me than Roman is holding out for the Special One...

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Or Guardiola.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

I can see the only person besides Roberto at this moment in time being Jose, but with how much more of a reputation he has got since leaving, as well as the major job he has landed now, would he come back, and would the price be too much to bare?

We need to look more towards the frute, and the over-haul that should have heppened in the beginning time, and what AVB had planned. I can't see anyone else being able to tame this club more then Jose, but i think it would look suave to have a certain legend in the seat also.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Well said Alex.

It's a gamble on RDM because of those stated reasons, now who knows if the players would react to him in a proper managerial environment. But at a time where the club is in a vital need to a rebuild, is the gamble calculated enough for RDM to take the reigns? I say, why not. Let's be honest, no-one else is available. Mourinho is likely to stay at Real or end up at City, Hiddink doesn't seem like a long-term option & Guardiola is rumoured to be taking a sabbatical after Barcelona. There is no-one else.

[Wxgba 306]

Regardless of what happens come the end of the season, Di Matteo's situation needs to be analysed critically and in a lot of detail; not just a knee-jerk reaction depending on whether he's brought silverware back to Stamford Bridge come May. In the unlikely circumstance that we were triumphant in Munich should we get there, I think Roman will instantly offer him the job on a full-time basis. However, there's a lot more to consider when choosing the "right man", particularly when preparing for future, long-term success.

There's all this talk about "Barcelona did it with Guardiola, why can't we?" and that there's "no-one better out there that is available". How do we know there's nobody more suitable for the role out there, somewhere amidst managerial obscurity? Barca did nurture Guardiola in to the manager that he is today, yes, but that won't be the case for every former player. Di Matteo's a legend amongst the stands, and I'm sure he'd like to keep it that way. Taking the job could run the risk of dinting his relationship with the board and fans alike.

Hypothetically-speaking, what would we, as fans, do if Di Matteo's offered the job in the summer and his terrific turnaround this season is overhauled by torrid turbulence, such as what Liverpool and "King Kenny" are facing currently? It wouldn't leave us in a promising predicament, and both Di Matteo's reputation and our top-four hopes will be taking severe blows.

He is a viable option, yes, but I just hope the decision made isn't a rash one. Roman and the board have become prevalent in premature decision-making; I just hope this isn't the case this time around.

[warnie_666 1,081]

http://f00tballmatte...erto-di-matteo/ Why Chelsea should NOT hire RDM

I would rather have a manager that has got lady luck on his side instead of a manager with no luck at all. Fergie's Man Utd have been lucky for years. To win competitions you need luck else Barcelona would be winning it every season.

[warnie_666 1,081]

Even if he doesnt get manager hope he least gets assistant manager cause otherwise new management team...no doubt end up with the same problems on who to keep and let go cause they wont know..least he can offer advise from his experince with us...

I hope he gets some reconsation at least!! And if he does become manager I just hope he doesnt end up being treated like crap from the board and fans when things start going a bit wrong...

You think he will stay on as an assistant after doing what he has?

My guess is Spurs might approach him in place of Harry ie if we do not make him perm

[warnie_666 1,081]

I think di Matteo certainly has put forward his case for inclusion - but I fear this is just a case of the players spitting their dummies out again. Under AVB we saw they were more than capable of playing how they currently are, but almost out of spite they refused to show the same commitment that they did under Hiddink or Mourinho, for instance. It was almost as if as soon as they realised things were going south, that they could not be bothered anymore and that they were just biding their time until his eventual sacking. They let Villas-Boas down just like they did with Ancelotti, and I fear they would do the same with di Matteo if they were given the chance. He has been savvy and kept them onside by playing a lot of the 'old guard' and rotating the squad as well as he possibly can, giving gametime to everyone and thus getting a happier squad as a result. What he has done deserves great respect and I think all it has done has endear a Chelsea legend to the fans to an even greater extent.

But I fear that if he gets the job, he'll have got more than he bargained for. Let's be frank; he isn't the tactician that Mourinho was, nor does he possess Hiddink's motivational skills. Whilst he has got it right more times than wrong, I still fear this is a case of Avram Grant all over again - he might have been the coach, but he certainly wasn't the manager of the club. That duty befell the likes of Terry, Ballack and Drogba and they led the club to a Quadruple of near-misses. 2007/08 was the greatest ever Chelsea team in my opinion, and we underachieved. We did the same under Hiddink; we should have got to the final of the Champions League that season.

Finding the perfect man for the Chelsea job isn't an impossible task, because we found him in 2004. We need a man who can handle the pressure delivered from the players, the media, and of course the owner, and as much as I respect him, I do not think di Matteo has these credentials. He certainly has the fans onside and the players have his back (for now), but I don't think he'll get the job because if he was going to, Roman would have offered it to him by now. Instead we only have reports that he's set for an interview in the summer, and that the 'interim' part of his title isn't there to humour the press; it is very much an apt choice of phrase.

It just seems to me than Roman is holding out for the Special One...

Initially even I thought this was Grant all over again. But in case of Grant I never heard one player come out in public and appreciate Grant's effect on team. In Roberto's case, players are actually appreciating what he has done.

He changed the formation to 4-2-3-1 which was similar to what he used at West Brom.

He got Eddie Newton and a completely NEW BACKROOM STAFF in its first year while Grant had Steve Clarke from Mourinho's time.

He put Ramirez on the Flank and he Ramirez is killing it out there.

He made Bertand play and not Bosingwa or Ferriera and that for a youngster is a big boost of confidence.

He told the Old guard that they gotta go out in style and be remembered as Champions and not as losers who were once great and now past it.

He has created a Seige mentality. He basically undid everything that AVB did.

He got Luiz firing on all cylinder and Luiz was one of the players on AVBs side but was still rusty. But under Roberto he is Brute.

4-2-3-1 has made us concede less goals.

He surprised everyone with his squad selection for FA Cup as most were hoping he would rest players for Barcelona and ended up winning both the ties.

He is lucky and like I mentioned I would rather have a manager who has luck on his side. Mourinho's Chelsea were unlucky in the Champions League.

When people say you were lucky to win a game in Champions League knock out, then rest assured you have good odds of winning the tournament. I am not saying chelsea is destined to win it this year but the odds look great and here is why.

Liverpool's Ghost Goal and a lucky Penalty in the finals.

JT slipped and Man Utd won it.

Ovrebo helping Barca by coming out with the most ridiculous refereeing displays.

Inter Milan were lucky they were not reduced to 10 men when Kalou was hacked down in the box with a penalty to us and later against Barcelona, a legitimate Bojan goal was disallowed by the ref which had it been allowed Barca would have gone through.

Compare that to our luck this year and its nothing. couple of shots hit the bar against Barca.

[francozola 2,040]

All this AVB playing Bosingwa at LB is bullshit. How many games did he actually play there? I think only a couple. The only one I can remember clearly is the Napoli game and theres no way in hell that Bertrand should have started that game. There's one more match but I've forgotten who the opponents were...?

And LOL - RDM got Luiz back to his best? Utter nonsense. Luiz has been superb for a while now. At least 4-6 weeks before AVB got the sack. The other points may be valid but These two are rubbish

[warnie_666 1,081]

All this AVB playing Bosingwa at LB is bullshit. How many games did he actually play there? I think only a couple. The only one I can remember clearly is the Napoli game and theres no way in hell that Bertrand should have started that game. There's one more match but I've forgotten who the opponents were...?

And LOL - RDM got Luiz back to his best? Utter nonsense. Luiz has been superb for a while now. At least 4-6 weeks before AVB got the sack. The other points may be valid but These two are rubbish

LOL..... absolutely ridiculous. Was was shit at Napoli and FYI we havent been keeping clean sheet to save our life and you claim one of our defenders was "Superb"

And regarding Bosingwa, its not about how many times he made Bertand play, its about did he make him play when he had the opportunity.? and answer is flat NO.

[francozola 2,040]

LOL..... absolutely ridiculous. Was was shit at Napoli and FYI we havent been keeping clean sheet to save our life and you claim one of our defenders was "Superb"

And regarding Bosingwa, its not about how many times he made Bertand play, its about did he make him play when he had the opportunity.? and answer is flat NO.

Haha okay clearly you have no idea what you're talking about. Luiz was excellent for a long time before AVB left. Stay deluded.

[warnie_666 1,081]

Haha okay clearly you have no idea what you're talking about. Luiz was excellent for a long time before AVB left. Stay deluded.

Good Job laughing like an idiot and calling others deluded by writing a one liner response without backing up with facts

[Hysteria 159]

Luiz was playing good, but with RDM our defense became solid again.

[francozola 2,040]

Good Job laughing like an idiot and calling others deluded by writing a one liner response without backing up with facts

-

I don't really know what you want from me? So I'll just quote some comments from the match threads

Matches before AVB's sack:

WBA (A) - 0-1

Bolton (H) - 3-0

Napoli (A) - 1-3

Birmingham (H) - 1-1

Everton (A) - 2-0

United (H) 3-3

Swansea (A) 1-1

QPR (A) 0-1

Norwich (A) 0-0

West Brom (A) 0-1 (L)

-Only Drogba Luiz and probably Essien & Brana had an acceptable game.

not much here at all. That thread was depressing

Bolton (H) 3-0 (W)

Man of the match on TC polls. Can't be arsed to quote

Napoli (A) 1-3 (L)

A lot of negative comments here, and they are acceptable since he had a poor game. But the biggest mistake was to play Meireles and Ramires as defensive midfielders. Unfortunately Mikel was injured and there was just no cover for our defenders. But agreed, he and Cahill were poor.

Birmingham (H) - 1-1 (D)

- 2) Agreed! I think Cahill, despite some costly errors such as pointless tackles getting him booked in the process, he was pretty solid! Ivanovic can cross much better than "Boshitwa" can, and Luiz played like a true captain! Really good display from him! If Luiz can reduce the "cavalierism" in his play, and he learns some English a little bit more, I think he would be a fantastic captain for us!

- On the positives, Ramires did very well having missed a few games with injury, Luiz continues his excellent form at the back and, once we got the ball to him in the second half, Sturridge did very well, a constant threat and a worthy goalscorer.

- Bane was solid, Luiz and Cahill where pretty well, Mikel did better than Rmoeu in the last week did... like I said... at least spread the ball to our fullbacks...

- Also, Luiz and Cahill were doing all the work pushing the ball upfield.

- Luiz was good as well. Bertrand looked a bit shakey but that might be down to his lack of first team football.

- Says it all when our defenders are out best players especially Luiz & Cahill, Ryan had a steady game & Ivanovich set up the goal & its good to see a player that can actually defend at RB, take note AVB & never select fucking Bosingwa ever again, please do us & you a massive favour by getting shot of him in the summer.

Everton (A) - 2-0 (L)

- Mata, Sturridge and Luiz only playing today.

United (H) 3-3 (D)

- Another good game from Luiz.

- i love David Luiz more and more everytime he plays, gotta be our future captin, Cahill had a good game. Mata u little minx that goal was AMAZING

- What a game by Cahill. Coming in for the skipper and performing like that in such an intense and nervewrecking atmosphere ? Looks like we stroke a good deal on him i think. That last shot by him was just what needed - a breath of freshness and braveness. Him and Luiz were very good together i think.

- Let's not criticize every player and forget very good performances from Luiz, Bosingwa, Essien, Mata and a good debut from Cahill. We weren't perfect, but it was a definate improvement from our terrible form recently.

- David luiz finally looks to be settling down in defense, you can look at this negatively but overall despite how we got the result, I will gladly take the draw against united, rather than losing.

- Granted Luiz and Cahill were both very good today, but this would have been Terry's game. We've seen him reply to the media and public criticism before, and we are just more organised at the back with him in the team.

- David Luiz, although out of position a lot, had a brilliant game and Cahill had a debut to be proud of

- David Luiz was superb at the back, marshalled and led the defence very well.

Swansea (A) 1-1 (D)

- As much crap as David Luiz gets from everyone around the league and a few on this forum, he's the only world class player on our squad. He's the only one that looks to push the ball forward and move it quickly; get something done at least. Romeu was similar when he started out but it seems like he's been hanging around Mikel too much. I'm sick of this boring ass football we're playing. Enough of this pass the ball back and around the goal shit. Be direct and look to do something with it. I honestly wouldn't mind 10 Luiz's out there, that way I know we'd at least try to get something going forward and attempt to win the game.

- When Luiz is your best player on the pitch, you know something is wrong

- Luiz seems to be the only one who gives a shit tonight

- Cahill to replace Romeu, and put Luiz in midfield, he is our playmaker today.

- WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?! THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THOSE STANDS WHO WOULD GIVE THEIR LIFE FOR THIS CLUB BUT YOU LOT BAR DAVID LUIZ CLEARLY DONT GIVE A FUCK. IF YOU ARE GOING TO PLAY LIKE THAT IN THE SECOND HALF THEN WHY NOT JUST TAKE A SHIT ON THE BADGE WHICH SOME PLAYERS HAVE WORN WITH MORE PRIDE THAN YOU WILL EVER BE ABLE TO.

- Congratulations to David Luiz:

You sir win 'The only player who gives a fuck' award. Gus Mears would be turning in his grave at this pile of overpaid shit

QPR (A) 0-1 (W)

- Edit: Also I've noticed David Luiz really seems to have upped his game since we signed Cahill, not to say hes the best defender in the world but the past few games hes been noticeably better, to my eyes at least

- Luiz has been in beast mode and Sturridge has been poor since Spurs away. Shame the only option we have to replace him is freaking Malouda.

- IF the rest of the team could play with half of the passion that has been shown by toress and luiz then we would not worry for the CL spot . Torres is not the problem , he is the outcome of the problem that has been ignored at chelsea for the last two season.

- Best players for me were Luiz, Terry and Ivan.

- With regards to this game, Luiz and Torres are the only players that seem interested, I;ve seen nothing from Sturridge, Ramires or Meireles.

- once again, a match, when our only players who give a damn are tores and luiz... fuck... and maybe mata...

Norwich (A) 0-0 (D)

- Terry and Luiz are good.

- 5) David Luiz is a ray of sunshine. MoTM by a mile.

- Totally agree! Luiz had one of his better games.. played more Carvalho-ish if I do say so myself... gives Cahill a bit more work to do if he is to push into AVB's side!

- On a positive note David Luiz played well, kept that fat cunt Holt in his pocket all afternoon.

- I thought Luiz had a good game..last few have been pretty good.Not so many eeek will he get booked moments of late

- Luiz - 7 - I thought he was our best player. He was dominant and controlled defensively, and he looked at times our most dynamic attacking threat. I don't think its fair for us to criticise Luiz anymore, because I think he has been a really good and consistent player for us over the last month or so.

- Otherwise, from Chelsea side, the only things which were good are Luiz, Cech and our away support.

- Luiz had a really good game. If he keeps playing like that, it will be hard for Cahill to partner Terry in the back four.

- Just pissed off should be studying for my university exams but NO i watch the game and they ALL(except Luiz) played shit!

- Can't think of a player that played well today, bar David luiz. Absolute shocker from malouda, he needs to fuck off, Danny was useless and don't start on fernando!

- Luiz was great. Torres for Lukaku was a stupid sub, Sturridge should have gone off, he didn't do anything again.

- There was only one player good today, and that was Luiz. I am glad we have this guy.

- Poor game from everyone except Cech,Cole,Luiz,Essien.

- Luiz is a sunbeam into this lethargical team.

- Luiz is brilliant today!

- No one in our teaming except Luiz is having a good game.

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Sorry for snapping at you earlier, and I don't mean to brainwash people into thinking Luiz is some defensive god or whatever. But no way was he poor. He made some mistakes, some bad mistakes indeed but overall most of the time he was the only good thing during games.

EDIT: and for the record, the only games where Bosingwa started at LB ahead of Bertrand was against Leverkusen (A), Utd (H) and Napoli (A).

I agree that Cole should have been rested more, and Bertrand given a chance against the "smaller" teams in the PL, however given how atrocious our form was, it was understandable I guess. But I was definitely one of those who kept criticizing AVB for not resting Cole more as he was going through a horrible patch of form for quite a few months.

[rover 28]

I hope Roberto Di Matteo be the new maneger next sezion, if Chelsea play the Champions liegue or not.

[communicate 2,703]

He basically undid everything that AVB did

I don't want to take away RDM contribution because he deserved all the credit for our turnaround. But what RDM did for our team for me is undo what AVB was hired to do by our board.

RDM return us to our old self = Defensive + direct.

Playing deeper defensive line make our defense looks better especially Terry. Ramires on the wing make us even better defensively.

Drogba now play like a free target man (he was asked to hold up play and link up under AVB). We played more direct so lampard does not have to play like a playmaker

[francozola 2,040]

I don't want to take away RDM contribution because he deserved all the credit for our turnaround. But what RDM did for our team for me is undo what AVB was hired to do by our board.

RDM return us to our old self = Defensive + direct.

Playing deeper defensive line make our defense looks better especially Terry. Ramires on the wing make us even better defensively.

Drogba now play like a free target man (he was asked to hold up play and link up under AVB). We played more direct so lampard does not have to play like a playmaker

Yeah agreed. AVB and the board were naive to think that we could play a completely different style of football with the same players. He was trying to change too much and since our players are so slow (because of age and also because majority of them are used to playing that way) it didnt work out. That's why even under AVB, the games where we did well (City, Valencia) was when he reverted to the Mourinho tactics.

[capriccioso 2,545]