Stick or twist? How, and when, can Di Matteo shuffle his tiring pack?
Italian has given Chelsea great momentum but he must rest players in their next must-win game, at Arsenal. Who? By Sam Wallace
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two games down, two games to go. The great Chelsea odyssey of four must-win matches in 10 days is halfway done and, thus far, done well. First Tottenham at Wembley, then Barcelona in midweek. Now the question for Roberto Di Matteo is how far he can push this team in the next five days.
Chelsea travel to the Emirates tomorrow lunchtime, with rather more momentum than that 2-1 home defeat by Wigan will have given Arsenal. The Gunners have had half the action Chelsea have seen since the weekend – but twice the rest.
In many respects, this game has more bearing on Chelsea's long-term stability than success in the FA Cup or even beating the best club team in the world on Wednesday night. Chelsea's best chance of being in the Champions League next season is still surely by winning their last five league games and pipping Spurs and Newcastle to fourth place.
It poses some awkward questions for Di Matteo over tomorrow's team. Can he really afford to push Didier Drogba for a third successive 90 minutes after the 34-year-old's wonders this week? Or look at it another way, can he expect Fernando Torres to be equally effective against Arsenal in a game that Chelsea really need to win?
There is something of the Zen master about Di Matteo, a man who appears to conduct his press conferences in a state of calm reflection. Even he acknowledged on Wednesday night that he could not simply keep asking his core of most experienced players to battle on.
Di Matteo said that there was "a good chance that new fresh players come in [against Arsenal]". "They deserve to be in the team as well. I had to leave a few out [against Barça], not because they deserved it but because I have to make decisions. I'm minded to give a few of them a start on Saturday."
The priority when Roman Abramovich appointed Di Matteo "interim first-team coach" on 4 March was always Champions League qualification. But it is unthinkable that Drogba will not start at the Nou Camp in Tuesday's second leg given the effect he seems to have on the Barça temperament.
Equally, Ashley Cole – still carrying an ankle problem – John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ramires and Juan Mata have all played all, or nearly all, of the 180 minutes against Spurs and Barça. The likes of Torres, Michael Essien, Florent Malouda and Daniel Sturridge have had to wait their turn. The question for Di Matteo is simply: are they good enough to beat an Arsenal team with seven wins in nine games?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments