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Every Chelsea player wants Di Matteo - Mikel

Jon Obi Mikel is a big fan of Roberto Di Matteo and wants the Italian to be handed the Chelsea job on a longer term basis © Getty Images

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Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel has added his support to Roberto Di Matteo's case for being made permanent manager at Stamford Bridge, revealing every player in the squad loves the Italian.

Di Matteo has led the club to FA Cup glory and the Champions League final since being placed in temporary charge, leading to a number of calls for him to be handed the opportunity to take the role on a longer term basis.

Mikel, who felt he suffered under former boss Andre Villas-Boas, said of Di Matteo's short tenure: "Now we are more stable and have a manager who understands the game. He has played the game and speaks to everyone exactly the same.

"He speaks to John Terry in the same way he speaks to every young player, like Ryan Bertrand. That's why all of us feel together."

Mikel was also clear in his desire to see Di Matteo installed permanently, hinting at a general consensus in the Chelsea dressing room.

"It's not now a question for players," said Mikel in the Sun. "I think if you see the way it has gone, I don't think it's a question for us to answer.

"But one thing I would say is everyone in this team right now is very, very happy with what Robbie is doing.

"His man-management has been fantastic and the way he goes about his business before a game - tactics and preparation - is just absolutely spot-on. So we hope he gets it.

"But, at the end of the day, the club will decide the right way for it to go."

Picking apart Villas-Boas' reign, Mikel added: "The communication was not right. AVB is a great manager. He has done well for himself and is only young.

"But when you are young, coming into a business like this you are going to make mistakes."

The Nigeria international continued: "From the start of this season, I was one of the key players in the team. But there were a few rotations early on and it was difficult.

"You think you have played well in a game and the manager then leaves you out. You don't know the reason why. Things like this went on through everyone's head and not just mine.

"Nobody knew what was happening. When you have something like that in your mind, you don't know what to do. You come into training and think, 'Should I train well, because I don't know if I'm going to be playing at the weekend?'

"Things like that just went on and on."

He added: "Straight after the departure [of Villas-Boas] we had conversations with each other. John Terry, as always, led the way. He spoke to everyone. The senior players in the team had a chat.

"We had to improve our game, had to make sure we got something out of this season. This is how we are now one week away from the greatest win ever for this club. We want to make history for this club and be legends for this club."

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