London: Chelsea's 8-0 thrashing of Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in December will have no bearing on Saturday's Premier League return fixture, the London club's interim manager Rafael Benitez said on Thursday.
Victory will all but clinch Chelsea's place in next season's Champions League but Benitez believes improving Villa will provide a stern test especially as the home team's relegation fears have not yet been completely dispelled.
"I don't think it matters what happened in the game at Stamford Bridge," the Spaniard told a news conference. "They want to win, they need to win.
"We've seen their last few games, they are doing well and it will be tough because they want to stay in the Premier League."...
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12:03 AM, May 10, 2013
Cobham: Interim Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has dropped a massive hint that Jose Mourinho will be returning to Stamford Bridge this summer. Benitez confirmed on Tuesday he would be leaving his temporary role with Chelsea at the end of the season by saying "the next year there will be another manager here. The Spaniard then added "I think everybody knows who will be here." The momentum behind Mourinho's probable return...
11:14 PM, May 07, 2013
London: Rafa Benitez, one win away from sealing a top-four finish for Chelsea in the Premier League and one more from a European trophy, ruled out extending his stay at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, saying the identity of his successor was an open secret. The Spaniard, still unpopular with a section of Chelsea's support from his days with Liverpool, has impressed as the club's interim manager and victory at home...
08:44 PM, May 07, 2013
England: Rafa Benitez can virtually wrap up part one of his mission at Chelsea by guiding the team to the cusp of the Champions League with a win over top-four rival Tottenham in the Premier League on Wednesday. The Spaniard is still unloved at Stamford Bridge but even the most ardent critic of Benitez must be impressed with the job he's done in his six months at the club. By...
11:37 AM, May 07, 2013
London: Continued speculation that Jose Mourinho is set to return to Chelsea "where people love me" cut little ice with interim manager Rafa Benitez who remains focused on guiding the London side to the Europa League final. Chelsea host FC Basel on Thursday holding a 2-1 lead from their semi-final first leg and Benitez is two matches away from claiming a European crown for a club he will leave at...
11:10 PM, May 01, 2013
London: Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez is looking forward to making a sentimental visit to his old stomping ground on Sunday when the European champions take on his former club Liverpool in the Premier League. Benitez was in charge at Anfield from 2004-10. He twice reached the final of the Champions League and won Europe's elite club competition in unforgettable style in 2005 when his team came back from 3-0...
10:10 PM, Apr 18, 2013
London: Rafa Benitez will continue to rotate his Chelsea players as they bid to deal with a fixture pile-up and rebound from two consecutive defeats, the club's interim manager said on Tuesday. The Spaniard left out senior players John Terry and Frank Lampard for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City but says he will stick to his guns amid growing pressure to retain a settled side for their...
12:17 AM, Apr 17, 2013
London: Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez played down the argument between Frank Lampard and David Luiz in Thursday's Europa League match at Rubin Kazan, an incident that hinted at internal discord heading into the season's climax. With an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City to come on Sunday and the fight for Champions League qualification hotting up, Benitez refused to question his players' passion for the cause and said it was...
04:04 PM, Apr 12, 2013
After another weekend of cutting criticism, Chelsea's stop-gap manager Rafa Benitez achieved a measure of vindication with Monday's FA Cup victory over Manchester United. ...
05:18 PM, Apr 02, 2013
United visit Sunderland on Saturday when victory would open up an 18-point lead, at least until second-placed Manchester City host Newcastle United later. ...
09:23 AM, Mar 29, 2013
Benitez has come in for a barrage of criticism from Chelsea supporters since he was parachuted into the manager's job following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo in November. ...
10:24 PM, Mar 11, 2013
Benitez has accused Ferguson of failing to shake hands before FA Cup quarter-final between Chelsea and Manchester United. ...
10:11 AM, Mar 11, 2013
"We had a lot of success thanks to the honesty and open mind everyone has in the dressing room," Cech was quoted as saying by British media. ...
06:05 PM, Mar 04, 2013
Demba Ba gave under-fire Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez some much-needed respite by scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, provisionally moving the team into third place in the Premier League. ...
10:35 PM, Mar 02, 2013
Benitez sought to build bridges and ease tensions, days after castigating hostile fans and aiming a swipe at club officials for his 'interim' job title. ...
10:08 PM, Mar 01, 2013
While, Avram Grant is in line to take charge temporarily at the Stamford Bridge until the end of the season. ...
08:28 PM, Feb 28, 2013
Benitez told the players on Monday their attitude had cost a series of managers the sack and also criticised them for a lack of effort and for failing to grasp tactics. ...
11:05 PM, Feb 26, 2013
Terry has endured a difficult season, missing two months with a knee injury, and then struggling to regain match fitness. ...
04:22 PM, Feb 19, 2013
The Nigerian pair could be recalled by the European champions for Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round replay at home to third tier Brentford. ...
08:59 AM, Feb 16, 2013
Benitez says the European champions must regain their killer touch if they are to apply any pressure on Manchester United. ...
03:56 PM, Jan 31, 2013
