Is Roberto Di Matteo the right man to take Chelsea forward?

Roberto Di Matteo was confirmed as the new permanent Chelsea manager on Wednesday night.

The Italian has signed a two-year contract with the Blues. The big question is can he take Chelsea forward in the next few years?

Winner

The Italian became the first ever Chelsea boss to win the Champions League with the Blues claiming a dramatic final victory over Bayern Munich last month.

However, their style of play in the final and semi-final games against Barcelona has been labelled ultra-defensive.

It wasn’t pretty to watch and at times it was defence against attack. However, Di Matteo knew that if his side opened up against Barcelona or Bayern then they would most likely be outplayed.

Fresh

Next season Roberto Di Matteo will be able to put a proper stamp on the team. A lot of last seasons squad have, or will move on this summer and it gives the Italian the chance to start from fresh almost. He will have the chance to create his own team.

Style

When he was manager of West Brom he preferred his side to play an attacking, passing game. I think that’s the sort of football Chelsea is likely to be playing next season. Di Matteo knows that defensive tactics are a means to an end but next season his Chelsea team is likely to play far more attractive football.

Signings

The signings of attacking midfielders Eden Hazard and Marko Marin point to the fact that Chelsea is looking to play a more expansive game next season. Both are very creative and forward thinking in how they play the game.

It looks like the Blues could spend even more money before the transfer window shuts as well with the likes of Porto’s Hulk and Everton ‘s Marouane Fellaini being linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.

Continuity

The permanent appointment of Di Matteo will bring much-needed stability to the club. Chelsea have became a club that fire bosses very easily and Di Matteo staying will give the club a bit of continuity, despite a large turnover of players this summer.

Di Matteo has a good relationship with the fans, more importantly he has a really good relationship with his players. Former-Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas found it hard dealing with the senior players at Chelsea but Di Matteo seems to have the respect of those same players.

Improvement

Chelsea was atrocious in the Premier League last season finishing sixth in the table. It was their worse finish in quite some time. Di Matteo couldn’t be blamed for Chelsea’s league position, as much of the damage had been done under Andre Villas-Boas.

Chelsea’s performances in the Premier League did improve under Di Matteo but they improved too late for the club to claim a higher position in the table. Plus they also had the distraction of the Champions League.

Di Matteo must be looking to finish in the top four at the very least next season. The Blues need to claim a Champions League spot through the Premier League, because its very unlikely they will be able to repeat the feat of last season and win Europe’s elite competition.

Deserved

Roberto Di Matteo proved last season that he has the right character and man-management skills to be successful at Chelsea. Hopefully he will be given time to change things around at Stamford Bridge. I just hope he is not just being used as a stop gap, before Chelsea approach former-Barca boss Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea may have had luck on their side at times last season to win the Champions League but it was Di Matteo who re-instilled the players confidence and got them playing again. The affable Italian deserves his chance at the big time and if last season is anything to go by he will take the opportunity with both hands.

Is Roberto Di Matteo the right man to take Chelsea forward?