• Champions League

Chelsea's 'new breed' excites Di Matteo

Bright start: Oscar has impressed since his summer move to Chelsea © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Di Matteo backs Chelsea leader Terry
  
• Preview: Shakhtar keen for Chelsea to learn Willian lesson
  
• News: Willian 'would love' to play for Chelsea or Spurs
  

Roberto Di Matteo admits he is excited by the "new breed" who he feels are developing into the future leaders of Chelsea.

On the back of their fantastic Champions League triumph last term, Di Matteo was given the backing to bring in a raft of fresh faces and the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar have already made a big impression.

With Didier Drogba having moved on, John Terry and Frank Lampard are the senior figures in the Stamford Bridge squad. Di Matteo feels they still have key roles to play, but believes successors are in place.

"They have been very successful in our club for many years and are still a part of the spine of this team," Di Matteo said ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk. "I think we have a new breed of players that are developing into leaders to eventually take over as things have to end at some time."

Di Matteo has moved to play down the rising expectations surrounding his Premier League leaders and insisted this is still a season of transition.

"There are still 30 games to play in the Premier League and so many more in the other cup competitions, so it is too early to start talking about title challenges or winning big trophies," he said. "We will be tested this season and then we have to see how we react.

"I am just happy to be leading this group and working with these players and working for the club that I have in my heart. The players deserve all the credit for our start, as it has been extremely difficult last season and also this season with integrating players and our system of play. I am just here to help and do my job well as I can and hopefully this story can continue for a long time."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.