Di Matteo rubbishes Malouda maelstrom

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo yesterday dismissed any hint of a dressing-room revolt over Florent Malouda’s banishment from the first-team squad.

Di Matteo played down comparisons between Malouda’s segregation and those of Nicolas Anelka and Alex last season, which arguably contributed towards Andre Villas-Boas’ downfall as manager.

Chelsea’s squad were said to be angered by what was seen as an attempt by Villas-Boas to assert his authority, with his successor subsequently praised for the way he brought other outcasts back into the fold.