FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo reckons that England’s much-publicised booze-ups are just a smokescreen for a team that could win the World Cup.
Paul Gascoigne, who was left out of Glenn Hoddle’s squad, and Teddy Sheringham, have been tabloid targets after a drinking spree in Spain last week.
But Di Matteo came to their rescue on Monday, saying that England on and off the pitch are two very different animals. “You can’t take these things into account,” he said. “The English have always been a bit like that: extravagant. But then, once they walk on a football pitch they demonstrate exactly the opposite.” They show what they can do. And they’ve shown that in the qualifying phase. And as for the finals, they’re one of the sides who have the possibility of winning the World Cup.
“Their strong point is that they have some very interesting young players, ones who are ready to show that they’re top class, people like Beckham, Scholes, Owen…And they’ve also improved in defence. They’ve showed against us that they know how to keep clean sheets. They’re more experienced now.” Di Matteo came in for some veiled criticism on Sunday, when coach Cesare Maldini said the midfield needed to improve after their 7-0 win over a local amateur side here.
But the Stamford Bridge star said: “It was a training session and we tried to do what we could. The real match, the important match, is against Chile on Thursday. We’ll keep trying to improve things in training before then and to arrive for that match feeling strong and ready. The tension is gradually increasing, and we can’t wait for this first official game to start after all these friendlies and training sessions.”
He dismissed the idea that the lack of controversy in the Italian national squad might take the edge off their preparations. “We’re playing the World Cup finals,” he laughed in disbelief. “So there’s no shortage of motivation. To work well, you need to be calm about things. But that doesn’t mean that you’re not concentrated or not motivated. If anything, it’s the opposite.”
As for his future, Di Matteo deftly walked a tightrope between giving the impression that he would willingly accept an offer to return to the Serie A, and making it clear he fully accepted Chelsea’s rights. “The club have said that I’m not for sale, and I accept and respect that decision,” he said.
“That’s the way life is. Sometimes it takes you far from where your heart is and sometimes it takes you nearer. It’s destiny and I accept that. And then we’ll see what the future brings.” What the future has already brought the man from Schaffhausen, Switzerland is a place at the World Cup finals. “I’m very proud of it,” he admitted. “It’s something that might happen to you only once in your life, to represent your country.”