Di Matteo plots Blues evolution

Roberto Di Matteo maintains Chelsea should not expect "radical changes" when he takes charge on a full-time basis next season.

The popular Italian, 42, was confirmed as the Blues permanent boss last month, having guided them to both FA Cup and then European glory after taking over on an interim basis following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas, who was appointed new Tottenham manager.

Didier Drogba and Soloman Kalou may have departed, but Chelsea have moved to bring in Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard from Lille and Germany midfielder Marko Marin from Werder Bremen, who could both yet be joined by Porto's Brazilian frontman Hulk.

Di Matteo - who is the eighth permanent head coach of Roman Abramovich's ownership - feels it is very much a case of evolution, not revolution at Stamford Bridge as he looks to improve on last season's sixth place in the Barclays Premier League.
He said: "I don't think it will be an overnight thing. I wouldn't expect radical changes.

"I would like us to be a good team that can compete and always in the frame for the targets this club has.

"I don't think there'll be a big overhaul of how we approach the games, new players will be integrated into the team and we will try and get the best out of them."

Di Matteo continued: "I don't see any reason to change. I am the way I am - this is me. The way I operate is me and that's not going to change in the future.

"I have my way to communicate with the players and I will continue with that.

"My job is too make them feel confident and to put their talent for the service of the team and try to win games.

"We certainly have to make up ground [in the Premier League] because we finished 25 points behind the leaders so that's going to be a big job."

Di Matteo accepts becoming European champions for the first time means Chelsea's standards have been raised once again.

He said: "Having won the European title might bring some expectations, yes, but I think it's a club that has always had expectations. That is nothing new for our players."

Di Matteo replaced Villas-Boas for the final 11 weeks of the season and inspired a stunning rejuvenation of a side which had been deemed too old.

There were, though, suggestions he would be overlooked, with Pep Guardiola, on a self-imposed year-long sabbatical after leaving Barcelona, a reported target for Abramovich.

Di Matteo, however, insists he was always "pretty relaxed" about the situation.
"We have always been in touch and had a few meetings," he said.

"I know the process sometimes takes a bit of time, it is an important decision for the club and I have no problems with it at all.

"I am pretty confident and very happy to be here working with a great squad, who have achieved a lot in the past and have the hunger to achieve even more."

Di Matteo has certainly come full circle since being dismissed as manager at West Brom in February 2011, when the Baggies feared he could not keep them in the Premier League.

The Italian, though, insists you must always take things as they come.

"I was always confident in my ability, but you know how the football industry works," he said

"Managers are replaced for some reasons and you just have to keep working and keep developing and try your best and try and get the results for your club."

With the next round of internationals also coming up in mid-August ahead of the opening World Cup qualifiers on the back of what has already been a busy summer for most Chelsea players away at the European Championships, Di Matteo accepts it is not the ideal way to ease into what is likely to well be another energy-sapping campaign.

"As a manager, you would like to have them with you in pre-season, but it is the Olympic Games and players will want to be involved with it," he said.

"It is a great opportunity for the players to be involved in the Olympic team, one that the players do not want to lose out on.

"It is not ideal, but there will be many clubs in the same situation as us."

Di Matteo added: "Pre-season is very important for the players to put the foundation in for the season.

"It is a bit disrupted by the European Championship and the Olympics, and it will be towards the end of July or the beginning of August before we have the whole squad together.

"In that sense it is a little bit disrupted, but we will certainly be working hard during pre-season."

Mata made his only appearance for Spain in the final of Euro 2012, and Di Matteo admitted the player would have to be carefully managed when he does finally integrate back with the Chelsea squad.

He said: "We will have to see with Mata, because he was at the Euro champs as well
"It depends when then go out of the competition and how he feels physically and mentally."

Di Matteo added: "There is always this dilemma in the national teams.

"There is a friendly in August as well for some, but we will have to work around it."

Sturridge, 22, remains hopeful he will be able to play for Team GB at the Games, and is currently undergoing further tests at St Mary's Hospital.

Stuart Pearce's 18-man GB squad is set to meet in Loughborough next weekend and the manager has until July 25 to select a replacement should Sturridge be forced to withdraw.

Di Matteo will take no chances with the players' well-being.

"The most important aspect is his health," said the Chelsea manager.

"Once he is 100% healthy, we will be co-ordinating with Stuart Pearce to see when he can join the Olympic team."