Di Matteo reaffirms Chelsea desire to add to last season's trophy haul

Aug 10, 2012 9:25:00 PM

Boss has allayed fears that his squad will rest on their laurels after winning the Champions League last term, and is cautiously optimistic of his side's Premier League chances

Roberto Di Matteo has reaffirmed Chelsea’s desire to be as competitive as possible during the upcoming season and add to their trophy haul from the last campaign.

The Blues claimed the FA Cup and a first ever Champions League trophy under the Italian’s guidance – which was the driving force behind the 42-year-old being handed a two-year deal in July.

Di Matteo has insisted that there will be no complacency within the squad after triumphing in Europe, and has described the new term as “a fresh start”.

"There's plenty of trophies to win this season," Di Matteo told reporters.

"We have a very driven team of players and they are never satisfied with what they've done in the past.

"It's a fresh start for us. It won't be a problem from that point of view.

"There are a couple of trophies our players have never won, and challenging for the Premier League, too.

Di Matteo is aware that a key aim over the coming months is to stay within touching distance of title favourites Manchester City and Manchester United in the Premier League after a lowest-ever league finish of the Roman Abramovich era last season.

However, with Chelsea shelling out a reported £66 million on news signings such as Oscar and Eden Hazard, Di Matteo was cautiously optimistic of staying in touch with last season’s eventual winners – who have failed to make a single signing thus far.

The Italian continued: "We finished sixth last season and I don't think anybody is happy with that. We certainly have to do better.

"There was a big gap last season, and that is one of our challenges this season, to bridge that gap.

“Twenty-five points are a lot of points. It'll be a tough season ahead but we'll try and compete.

"When you're the top, it's harder to stay at the top than get to the top. There'll be plenty of clubs trying to catch them up this season."

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