Chelsea legend Roberto Di Matteo has revealed that he speaks to Enzo Maresca on occasions.
Winning the Champions League and FA Cup with Chelsea in 2012, there are probably things that Di Matteo can teach Maresca.
However, the conversations between the two Italians do not involve Di Matteo giving advice to his compatriot and he has explained why.
Maresca has won the Conference League and Club World Cup since taking over Chelsea so has enjoyed trophy success in west London like Di Matteo.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca watches on during a training session at Cobham.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Di Matteo’s tenure at Chelsea was a short one, but guiding the Blues to their first ever Champions League trophy makes him one of the club’s greatest ever managers.
Even so, the former midfielder does not think Maresca needs any advice from him because of how in-depth his knowledge of football already is.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website after the club’s legends game over the weekend, Di Matteo said: “Sometimes I speak to Enzo. We are both Italian so there’s no language barrier! He doesn’t need any advice, he knows football very well. He’s very well prepared, he’s got a lot of knowledge.”
Chelsea Legends lost 1-0 against their Liverpool counterparts in a match that saw Diego Costa and Martin Skrtel reignite their old rivalry.
Di Matteo is a fan of Costa’s fiery side, which Skrtel managed to bring out once again on Saturday.
Roberto Di Matteo managing Chelsea legends
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Why Roberto Di Matteo thinks Chelsea’s current team is ‘magnificent’
Di Matteo’s Chelsea team were heralded as heroes following that famous night in Munich, but this current Chelsea side often come in for criticism.
Many feel that this group of Chelsea players are too young and lack experience, but Di Matteo does not agree.
The 55-year-old thinks Chelsea have the right blend between youth and experience and are a “magnificent” outfit after their Club World Cup and Conference League successes.
“Today’s Chelsea team is magnificent,” Di Matteo said. “I think they’re doing very, very well. They won the Conference League last season and the Club World Cup, so they are back winning trophies and that is what this club is about, winning trophies.
“It’s a team full of talent with some experience now as well. After being here two or three years, they are showing that now on the pitch. They’re playing very good football and the gaffer, the head coach, is doing a great job.”
Until they can become a more consistent team in the Premier League, though, Maresca’s men will continue to have their critics and doubters. Next up for them is a trip to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest.