The team selection by Di Matteo last night proved what he sees as Chelsea's priorities, the FA Cup and the Champions League. The race for fourth place was second in his opinion and his team selection played into Newcastle's hands and now we have to beat Bayern Munich to qualify for the Champions League next season.
I don't blame Di Matteo for his actions, in his position I would have done the same, his only chance of getting the Chelsea job full time, relies on him winning not just the FA Cup, but the Champions League. Simply guiding Chelsea to fourth place was never going to be good enough and Di Matteo knew that.
Unfortantly, this is a crucial period for the football club, the rebuilding that should have happened under Andre Villas-Boas will have to happen before the start of next season, but how can we dream of replacing players like Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda if we aren't playing Champions League football?
Why would somebody like Yohan Cabaye leave Newcastle if they qualify for the Champions League?
Beating Newcastle to put us within a point of Tottenham was more important than beating the History Boys in the FA Cup final on Saturday, it was more important for the future of the club, however beating the History Boys is more important for Di Matteo's future as Chelsea manager.
Di Matteo has to vindicate his team selection against Newcastle by winning both cups and qualifying for the Champions League, if he does, I will hold my hands up and say so, but if he doesn't he should receive criticism and shouldn't receive this job full-time.
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