Terry insists Di Matteo´s the boss

John Terry says Roberto Di Matteo is firmly in charge at Chelsea as the defender looks to dispel suggestions that he sees himself as the club’s manager.

During the 4-1 victory over Napoli in the Champions League, the Blues captain was seen giving instructions from the touchline, leading to speculation that Terry and other senior members of the squad are in effectively running the Stamford Bridge side.

The 31-year-old has backed the work that Di Matteo has done since replacing former manager Andre Villas-Boas and says that the interim boss deserves all the credit for Chelsea’s recent form.

“In response to comments suggesting that I think I’m the manager, I’d like to say Robbie has stepped up and been immense,” Terry said.

“I am Chelsea through and through whether I am on the pitch or off it. Had I still been on the pitch (against Napoli) I would have been saying the same things that I was from the bench.

“That is my role as captain of this club.”

Player power had been rumoured to be a factor in the dismissal of Villas-Boas in early March, but Terry was keen to stress that his love for the club had simply been taken out of context during the Napoli match.

“Just because I have come off the pitch, it doesn’t mean to say my mentality changes,” the centre-back said.

“People might see it in the wrong way, but I care about this football club – we all do – and Robbie and his backroom staff deserve full credit.”

Chelsea are currently fifth in the Premier League and face a huge game against fourth-placed Tottenham on Saturday with the chance to cut the gap between the pair to two points as both teams fight for Champions League qualification.