Jul 04

Roberto Di Matteo happy to be No2 to André Villas-Boas at Chelsea

• Di Matteo says he will have ‘no problems’ being an assistant
• Former West Brom manager admits job came a surprise

Roberto Di Matteo has said he will have no problems working as a No2 to the new Chelsea manager, André Villas‑Boas.

The Italian, who was dismissed by West Bromwich Albion in February despite having won promotion the previous season, was unveiled on Monday as part of the new back-room staff at Stamford Bridge, where he spent six successful years as a player before injury forced him to retire in 2002.

Di Matteo, however, insists he will have no difficulties making the transition back to an assistant’s role. “It is obviously a challenge for me but I don’t anticipate any problems,” Di Matteo said. “I have got experience of being a manager, I know what it is like, and I know what it is to be a coach, so I have a bit of both and I am there to support André and any of the staff, to give what it takes for us to be successful. That’s the ultimate challenge.”

Di Matteo admitted it was an unexpected opportunity. “His call came a bit out of the blue to be honest,” said the 41-year-old, who also had an impressive stint as MK

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Jan 24

Monday’s football transfer rumours: Alex McLeish on the brink of the sack? | Scott Murray

Today’s rumours hear that Richard Keys is so macho, he’s got male-pattern baldness of the hands

Here’s a cheery start to the week: Birmingham City will sack Alex McLeish if they fail to reach the Carling Cup final by overcoming West Ham, who will sack Avram Grant if they fail to reach the Carling Cup final by overcoming Birmingham. Does it really have to be like this?

It’s just like 1990 again: Ossie Ardiles is in line to replace Danny Wilson at Swindon Town. What has Kenny Dalglish started? The odds on Garry Pendrey or Dave Mackay taking over at St Andrews are tumbling as we speak.

Burnley manager Ernie Howe, seen here in his other job as chief executive of Triple Velvet, is hoping to make the Swindon striker Charlie Austin his first signing. But Blackpool are also interested, and they’ve got money to burn after accepting Liverpool’s £5m bid for Charlie Adam, who will play against Manchester United in midweek before doing one. Ajax striker Luis Suárez is also coming to Anfield this week for £15m cash plus Ryan Babel, a package reckoned to be worth nearly £10m.

Some more upbeat news from Upton Park: West Ham plan to tie up a £6m deal for Hoffenheim hoofer Demba Ba today. West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City will make late attempts to woo Ba, but appear to have left it too late.

In the wake of Sunderland’s £24m Darren Bent cash windfall, manager Steve Bruce is running around excitedly like a character in the Beano who’s just found a shiny coin and is off for a feast. He’ll spend £4m on Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller, £6m on Inter midfielder Sulley Muntari, and one shiny coin on a bag of sweeties, an oversized lollipop and a length of stripy rock shaped like a walking stick.

Emmanuel Adebayor is on his way back to an old club in a £9m deal. Fans of comedy, and those entertained by car crashes, will be disappointed to hear that the club in question is not Arsenal but Monaco.

Chelsea have often been tormented by Fernando Torres. The boot may soon be on the other foot: they’re closing in on a £21m deal for Benfica defender David Luiz, who spent 180 minutes last season kicking the Liverpool striker around like an old sock.

Birmingham CityWest Ham UnitedSwindonChelseaBlackpoolLiverpoolSunderlandScott Murrayguardian.co.uk

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Jul 24

Didier Drogba to miss beginning of season after groin surgery

• Drogba had ‘minimal invasive surgery’, according to club
• Striker set to miss Community Shield and league opener

Didier Drogba is set to miss next month’s Community Shield and Chelsea’s Premier League opener after undergoing groin surgery which will rule him out for three weeks.

The Ivory Coast international, who was troubled by the groin problem during Chelsea’s double-winning campaign last season, successfully had “minimal invasive surgery” yesterday, the club said on their website.

“The decision to perform the procedure after his return from the World Cup was made to optimise his rehabilitation,” read the statement. “He is expected to return to full training in approximately three weeks.”

The 32-year-old is therefore expected to miss the 8 August Wembley meeting with Manchester United and probably also the beginning of their title defence at home to West Bromwich Albion on 14 August.

The centre-back Alex and the goalkeeper Petr Cech are also expected to miss the beginning of the season with injuries.

Chelseaguardian.co.uk

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