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ROBERTO DI MATTEO admits: I have got no friends.Perfect. Because that is a job requirement at Chelsea, given the murky power struggles and level of politics that go with life at Stamford Bridge. Certainly the one-time Blues midfielder has no worries telling former team-mates and current stars he has no interest in being Mr Nice Guy. Caretaker boss Di Matteo, 41, has been thrown into Chelsea's bear pit following last Sunday's sacking of Andre Villas-Boas and now faces the monumental task of lifting the team and salvaging a wretched season. He said: "I think 'friends' is a big word. I'm not sure how many friends you have. "I don't have any, actually. If someone comes up to me and says 'I met a friend of yours the other day', they are a liar. "I don't have any friends. That's my outlook. I've had a few experiences in my life which have taught me about friendship. "OK, I'm taking it to the extreme. But it takes a lot to become my friend. Football has made me this way. It has been experiences in life which have taught me this. But that's my private life." Di Matteo played for six years and in more than 120 matches for Chelsea. That included being the victim of a triple leg fracture during a UEFA Cup match in 2000. He added: "That was a bad period for me but a good learning period for me to understand how relationships work between people. "It worked well, because I understood a lot of things." Oddly, cold-hearted Di Matteo does count axed AVB as a pal and insists they will remain so for the rest of their lives. Yet it is no doubt dangerous to expose your softer side at Chelsea, as someone is waiting to do you in. AVB's cause was hampered by the impressive power pulsing from the dressing room at Stamford Bridge. Keeping the egos onside is clearly just as important as team selection. Di Matteo takes charge of his first home match today against Stoke, just five days after being 'told' he was taking over the beast that is Chelsea's squad until the end of the season � if he lasts that long. Sacking a Chelsea manager is now as much a part of the football calendar as the FA Cup final. The shrewd, shaven-headed coach has addressed the squad in full and cleverly pulled each player aside for a private chat � or to divide and rule, depending on your viewpoint. Di Matteo added: "There are only a couple of players left here now who I played with. "But I've been back here since July and I know the players and the atmosphere. "I've thrown myself into the work I need to do and tried to speak to the players individually and get them on board.