Di Matteo defends squad rotation

Roberto Di Matteo played down his decision to leave out some big names for Chelsea’s FA Cup fifth-round replay at Birmingham.

Di Matteo was installed as caretaker this week for the rest of the season following the sacking of manager Andre Villas-Boas on Sunday.

Portuguese coach Villas-Boas was rumoured to have been undermined by an influential group of senior players during his brief tenure at Stamford Bridge, and Di Matteo duly left veterans Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba on the bench for Tuesday’s cup tie at St Andrew’s.

Goals from relative newcomers Juan Mata and Raul Meireles helped Chelsea run out 2-0 winners against Championship side Birmingham, booking their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Speaking afterwards, former Chelsea player Di Matteo said his team selection was not an attempt to exert his authority over the old guard.

“It was nothing to do with bravery,” Di Matteo told Sky Sports when asked about leaving out the big names.

“They’re all on board and they know what target we have, which we must achieve.”

“There are big players for this club and we have a squad and we have to utilise the squad because we played on Saturday, played tonight, we play again on Saturday now, so we have to get the best out of these players and the team.”

“It was just a question of freshening up the team a little bit, giving some fresh legs and some energy for a game like this because we knew we had to fight and so that was the only idea.”

Di Matteo said he was disappointed to no longer be working alongside former Porto coach Villas-Boas, and declined to comment on whether or not he would seek the full-time role as Chelsea manager.

“It has been a difficult time,” he said.

“It’s been difficult for the whole club. When events like this happen, we’ve lost a great guy (Villas-Boas).”

“But you have to deal with it. Tonight we had to focus on this game and move on as a club, put it to one side and move forward.”

“Would I take it (the manager’s job)? I’m very tired tonight. I have to think about Stoke City from an hour’s time onwards, and that’s all I’m thinking about.”

“Think whatever you want to think. I’m not thinking about anything else.”