Chelsea's interim boss Roberto Di Matteo is reportedly already struggling to keep the Blues players happy.

The former West Bromwich Albion coach was appointed temporary manager following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas on Sunday.

It is believed that the former Blues midfielder is struggling to enforce his leadership on the senior squad and is thought to be unpopular with the players, according to the Daily Star.

Some have suggested that the issue of player power was behind Villas-Boas's dismissal from Stamford Bridge following a well-documented supposed rift between the coach and Chelsea veterans Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole.

Di Matteo faces his first test as Chelsea boss when the former Premier League champions take on Birmingham City in an FA Cup fifth-round replay.