CHELSEA MANAGER Roberto Di Matteo believes his squad has sufficient depth to cope with participating in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Blues qualified for the tournament by virtue of last season’s Champions League victory, but must juggle taking part with their commitments in Europe, the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.
But Di Matteo says his side have the quality to handle all four competitions, despite the CWC requiring a trip to Japan in December.
“It will certainly put a big strain on the team, because it is a trip to the other side of the world with different time zones while the Premier League is still playing on,” Di Matteo said.
“We will have to deal with that. But we have got a big enough squad that I think we should be able to cope with it.”
Goalkeeper Petr Cech has also insisted the west London outfit’s involvement in the Club World Cup is not a distraction from their domestic duties.
“I am glad I will have the opportunity to go there. Obviously it will make our fixtures here a bit more complicated,” he said. ”But that is the way it is. I would rather have a chance to go and play and have a better week.”
The tournament will take place from 6-16 December.
