Roberto Di Matteo predicts a Chelsea Thriller

Posted Monday, July 04, 2011 by Dailystar.co.uk

Roberto Di Matteo predicts a Chelsea Thriller
ABOVE: Roberto Di Matteo was appointed as Andre Villas-Boas’ Chelsea assistant last week

ROBERTO DI MATTEO reckons he can form a Chelsea dream team with new boss Andre Villas-Boas.

Roberto Di Matteo was appointed as Andre Villas-Boas’ Chelsea assistant last week.

And the ex-West Brom manager reckons the duo will have a licence to thrill next season.

Di Matteo said: “I followed Porto last season and the amazing success he had there.

“But his call came a bit out of the blue, so it’s mostly based on the fact that he likes my football philosophy and that’s why he wants me to be part of his team.

“I think he likes to play football and be positive and attacking, and over the years if you’ve seen a game or two of the teams I coached I think we played the same way. I liked my teams to try and win games rather than not lose, to build, to pass.

“He’s going to be in charge of it and we’re going to be working the way he thinks is the right way to be successful.

“Everything is in place to be successful and get the best out of the team. There is no excuse for any players or staff because we have everything we need to deliver.”

Villas-Boas, 33, will meet his squad for the first time later this week to lay out his Chelsea dream and expectations.

But 41-year-old Di Matteo admits he has been bowled over by the Europa League-winning coach.

“From the first conversation we had there was a good link and a good understanding, it was a very natural evolvement,” added Di Matteo. “When you meet someone, from the first impression you can immediately figure out if you will get on or not and it was very positive.

“We both felt strongly and I have to thank him that he decided and thought I would be suitable and I was very happy to join him.

“It’s obviously a challenge for me but I don’t anticipate any problems.

“I’ve got experience of being a manager, I know what it is like and I know what it is to be a coach.”

Di Matteo won two FA Cups, one League Cup and the European Cup Winner’s Cup during six successful years at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “I feel very excited to be back at my home club, it’s fantastic.

“I spent a large part of my professional career and many years of my life at Chelsea. I had a great time here and made many friends.”