• Premier League

Di Matteo ready for transfer raid

ESPN staff
July 5, 2012
Roberto Di Matteo is confident his time as Chelsea boss will be better than his golf © PA Photos
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Roberto Di Matteo has insisted he has money available to raid the transfer market if he feels the need to add to his Chelsea squad.

The Italian went up before the media on Wednesday for the first time since being confirmed as the club's manager on a permanent basis.

He has already seen Eden Hazard and Marko Marin arrive this summer for a combined sum of close to £40 million. Those arrivals may not be enough to cut the gap on Manchester City, given how far they were beaten by last season, but he has assured Blues fans that he has money to spend.

It is believed a striker and a right back are his targets, with Porto forward Hulk and Inter Milan defender Maicon in the frame, but Di Matteo would not be drawn on individuals.

He said: "I'm not going to discuss specific targets because every time you mention someone the price goes up. But we will monitor the market and move if there is an opportunity to increase the quality of our squad."

Di Matteo led Chelsea to Champions League victory in May but is aware he cannot bask in that glory.

He said: "The end of the season was remarkable and the team was outstanding in achieving those targets, but that's the past.

"We have to start again and look to the future. We have to be competitive in all the competitions we're involved in.

"We certainly have to make up a lot of ground in the Premier League because we finished 25 points behind the champions last season so that's a big job for all of us."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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