Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has quashed rumours of a potential player revolt over Florent Malouda's relegation from the first-team squad.
Malouda revealed last week that he had been forced to train with the Under-21 side after disputes with the club over his future.
Similar disputes involving Nicolas Anelka and Alex were rumoured to be factors behind Andre Villas-Boas's doomed time in charge of the Blues, but Di Matteo has denied that there will be a similar struggle for dressing room power under his tenure.
"They have accepted the decision that has been made by us, and they're just going to focus on their targets for this season," he said.
"Over the past, there's been some expression of the player to part company, but it hasn't happened. So we've moved forward, brought in other players and they're the ones we're going to work with this season. It was a combined decision between me and the club.
"It's obviously not an extremely positive message or decision for him, but I guess, at the end, we have to look after our own interests and that's the decision we've taken."
Malouda joined Chelsea in 2007 and has made 220 appearances for them in that time, scoring 45 goals.
Barney Corkhill
