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Di Matteo calls for more Chelsea credit

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has extolled the virtues of his players © Getty Images

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Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo has demanded that his team receive greater acknowledgement for their achievements, after becoming frustrated with the lack of praise afforded to his players.

The Italian has guided the Blues to the final of the FA Cup, the brink of a Champions League final appearance, and they remain in with a chance of finishing in the Premier League top four - all eventualities that appeared to be unlikely outcomes when Di Matteo took temporary charge less than two months ago.

"From where I'm sitting I'm looking at it and we are just a few points behind two other teams with a game played more," said Di Matteo of Chelsea's current league position of sixth.

"We're in the final of the FA Cup and the semi-final of the Champions League, have lost one in 13.

"Yet we seem to be the worst team in England. That's the way it feels sometimes."

Di Matteo, reacting to the suggestion that Chelsea have an ageing squad, added: "I'm not saying it's unfair. I respect everyone's opinion. But if you want to point out that nobody is talking about Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs being 'past it' then thank-you very much."

The nature of Chelsea's progress under Di Matteo has, the former Blues player says, answered any doubts over the motivation or dedication of any of the squad.

"What we have achieved has come from the strength of character, the spirit of the group and the spirit of sacrifice by everybody in the squad to keep this positive momentum going," he stated.

"You can see the pride of this group, the drive and ambition to get up and fight every opposition we face. Getting good performances and results makes the players believe they can achieve anything.

"That's the way we're going. We have so many things to play for it keeps them focused and it's great to see everyone putting in such big performances."

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