Di Matteo wants more from lacklustre Chelsea
Reuters - Sunday 05 August 2012, 13:58
Chelsea manager Roberto Di
Matteo's pre-season plans might not be living up to his
expectations but the frustrated Italian said once all his
players return to club duties performances will improve.
The European Champions have lost their past three pre-season
friendlies, including a shock 3-1 defeat by Championship
side Brighton on Saturday.
London Olympic commitments for striker Daniel Sturridge,
midfielder Juan Mata and new Brazilian signing Oscar have given
Di Matteo little time to mould his squad for the upcoming
season.
The Italian was also been forced to wait for those who took
part in Euro 2012 to return from extended holidays including
England defenders John Terry and Ashley Cole.
But their were no excuses for Chelsea as they were
comprehensively beaten by Brighton with Fernando Torres and
Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard both playing in a near
full-strength side.
"We haven't had the whole team together yet," Di Matteo told
the club's website.
"Some players have only been back nine days, some 16, some
21 and some are not back at all, but when they are back we can
all work together.
"I was expecting more from my team in terms of urgency and
movement. I was looking for a better performance than the one we
gave today [Saturday].
"We were too stretched, never aggressive enough and didn't
get the ball back quickly enough when we lost it.
"With the ball, there wasn't enough movement and there were
a lot of things we didn't do. We have to be a bit more focused
and sharper."
Di Matteo added that it would take time for Hazard to adapt
to life in the Premier League but he is prepared to let the
21-year-old settle following his transfer from French club
Lille.
"Hazard played on the left, we want him to be incisive, he
had good spells but we need to be patient," he said.
"He's a young man coming from a different league and it
takes time to adapt."
Chelsea are due to play Premier League champions Manchester
City in the Community Shield next Sunday and will have everyone
except Oscar, who is through to the semi-finals of the Olympic
tournament with Brazil, at their disposal.