Hazard apologises to ballboy

Rafael Benitez has revealed Eden Hazard exchanged apologies at full-time with the Swansea ballboy(Charlie Morgan) that he appeared to kick during Chelsea's Capital One Cup exit on Wednesday.



Hazard was shown a red card deep into the second half of the 0-0 draw at the Liberty Stadium, after he showed his frustration when the ballboy refused to return the ball to the Belgian.



The youngster was helped away from the pitch as he winced in pain after receiving a boot to the ribcage area, but Benitez said both parties resolved their differences in a meeting that took place in the changing rooms after the match.



"I didn't see the incident from the bench, but afterwards the boy came in to talk to Hazard, and both apologised to each other," Benitez told Sky Sports.



"The boy knows he was wasting time, Hazard was frustrated because he wanted to get the ball back. They apologised, they made a mistake, and that's it.



"We're disappointed because we lost a player but the best thing is to move forward."



South Wales Police will not investigate the incident after the youngster said he would not press charges.



In a statement Chief Superintendent Josh Jones, of South Wales Police, said: "South Wales is aware of the incident involving a ballboy at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea. We are making arrangements for him to be interviewed. South Wales Police takes such matters very seriously.''



However, the ballboy met with police at the stadium and revealed that he would not be taking any further action.



Reflecting on Chelsea's dire performance, which saw them barely threaten despite needing to score twice to rescue the tie, Benitez said the damage was done in the first leg.



"We didn't take our chances in the first leg, and we didn't take our chances in this leg. Credit to Swansea," he said.



The Chelsea boss also refused to blame referee Chris Foy, who turned down a first-half penalty appeal when Demba Ba went down in the area, saying: "It does not matter, we cannot change this. We didn't take our chances."

Chelsea target new midfielder

Rafael Benitez has hinted he will move in the January transfer window with a holding midfielder now high on his wanted list.



Chelsea are known to be in the hunt for a new striker with Atletico Madrid ace Radamel Falcao high on the wanted list, but following the injury to Oriol Romeu a new midfielder is also required.



The only other recognised player in that holding position is John Obi Mikel and he will be on African Nations Cup duty next month. The Blues have been linked with the likes of Corinthians' Paulinho, Newcastle's Cheick Tiote and Everton's Marouane Fellaini and Benitez has hinted that players will be brought in.



"The club is working and always looking for good players, so we'll see if there are any surprises," he revealed.



Benitez admitted the seriousness of Romeu's injury, which he suffered in Saturday's Barclays Premier League win at Sunderland, had taken Chelsea by surprise.



"Oriol Romeu was bad news and we weren't expecting something so serious," he added. "He'll be fine for the future, he's a young player."

Benitez tells owner he needs stronger team

Rafael Benítez has told Roman Abramovich that the Chelsea squad he inherited from Roberto Di Matteo is neither fit enough nor strong enough.

Chelsea have earmarked Metalist Kharkiv’s Brazilian attacker Taison as a January signing while Benítez has been working on the players’ fitness, sending Fernando Torres for extra sessions in the gym.Benítez attended a board meeting on Thursday with Abramovich and Michael Emenalo, the technical director, in which the interim first-team manager outlined his initial impressions of the squad after two stalemates and six training sessions. “You can see the team needs to improve a bit physically,’’ said Benítez. “We had yesterday a board meeting and I explained what I’d seen.’’

Benítez also considered recruiting Andy Carroll.

He believes he can win over the hostile fans. “When I was at Extremadura, I replaced a manager who was very successful and at the end they loved me. I went to Tenerife and had a very good relationship with the fans. Valencia was the same. Liverpool was the same. So hopefully with the success I can do the same here.”

The Spaniard, who on Saturday travels to West Ham to face an old rival in Sam Allardyce, argued that Chelsea were moving in the right direction under him. “The players have a bit more confidence now than before because they were conceding goals every single game and losing. The players can see the team is more solid, and that’s the first step.’’ If he has tightened the defence, Benítez needs to get the attack rolling.

The Premier League hopes to celebrate its 21,000th goal this weekend, needing 27 to hit the mark, but Benítez and Torres have to prove they can find the key to the door to goal. Benítez teams have not scored in the Premier League for six hours (two games with Chelsea this week, and his final two games with Liverpool in 2010).

Torres has not scored in 275 minutes under Benítez in the Premier League, not since March 28, 2010 against Sunderland, the first of his two goals that day highlighting the need to get the ball to him quickly. Liverpool’s keeper, Pepe Reina, found Torres on the left with a long throw, and the striker brilliantly turned Michael Turner before beating Craig Gordon with a superb strike into the top corner.

Torres needs constant encouragement by his manager. “I was always talking to him,’’ said Benítez of their time at Anfield. “I like doing that with players, asking them questions, about players, games, families. It can be a two-minute conversation with someone walking to the pitch, or you can have breakfast with them.’’

Benítez dismissed the idea of former Olympic sprinter Darren Campbell working with Torres as he has in the past. “It’s different just running and running with the ball on the pitch.”



During Thursday’s meeting, Benítez, Abramovich and Emenalo discussed the possibility of recalling Romelu Lukaku from West Bromwich Albion. “We know he’s doing well,’’ said Benítez. “But maybe it’s better for his development to stay there, playing.” Until January and Taison’s possible arrival, Torres faces 10 games. He cannot be rested. “Not at the moment because [Daniel] Sturridge is injured,’’ said Benítez.

“[Victor] Moses is the only option we’d have, but he’s a different kind of player.’’

Benitez, who despite Chelsea’s lack of goals was considering leaving out Oscar from Saturday's game, said he did not see Eden Hazard as a centre-forward, a role the Belgian filled unsuccessfully against Juventus. “I know he played in that position, but he’s not a striker. He’s a No 10 or a winger. Hazard was one of the players I wanted to sign at Liverpool at 19. He was too expensive.’’



Benítez also considered recruiting Andy Carroll, who eventually joined Liverpool for £35 million and is now on loan at West Ham. “He played the Youth Cup at Anfield and we were watching him, a young player with power,’’ recalled Benítez. “It was an option, he was cheaper. Take the ‘3’ off the £35 million.”



In chatty mood at Cobham on Friday, Benítez touched on a range of other matters. He praised Marko Marin, saying: “You can see his quality.’’ Of David Beckham possibly returning to England, Benítez said: “I’m not sure whether he can cope now with the pace of the Premier League.” He explained why he made the crossing hands “game over” gesture after Liverpool’s second goal in a 4-0 win over Allardyce’s Blackburn in 2009, a gesture of “absolute contempt” according to Sir Alex Ferguson at the time. “How could I have said the game was over after 20 minutes?’’ said Benítez yesterday. “Crazy.’’

John Terry has told the club’s medical staff that he feels ready to play but Benítez remains cautious, citing concerns over the knee injury, and doubted whether the centre-half would make the under-21s’ game on Monday. Benítez observed that the team missed the “character and leadership” of Terry and Frank Lampard.

Benitez’s life is all tinker, tailor at the moment. “I have some problems with the official suit. The Italian style is different. It’s really nice, but it’s a style for young people, not old people. Now, because of the [economic] crisis, no one has many suits in stock. They have to make the right one.’’

What would suit Chelsea on Saturday is a goal. Benítez is known for rarely celebrating goals. “Sometimes when you score it’s the time to talk to players. Some managers like to jump around and roar. The fans sometimes enjoy this. I’m happy inside.”

Benitez insists he can help Torres

Rafael Benitez insists he can help Fernando Torres rediscover his form and win over the Stamford Bridge faithful.



Benitez got a frosty reception from sections of the club's support when he made his first appearance in the dug-out against Manchester City on Sunday.



But he is adamant that he can revive the fortunes of the club and Torres - and get the fans back on side in the process.



"I understand the fans and how they feel," he told Sky Sports News. "I will try to prove I am here for the right reasons and I want to win.



"Imagine if you are a player who is struggling. I would say 'Stay focused, try to do your job, don't get distracted, concentrate on your football'.



"For me it is the same, I want to concentrate on coaching, improve the players and bring the fans back.



"I understand the feeling of the fans because of my time at Liverpool. We had a rivalry which was quite difficult.



"Torres can come back, but how far? I don't know. It depends on the team. Yes he can improve, I am sure he can improve, but it depends on the team to help him.



"I am not under pressure to pick him because Daniel Sturridge is still injured so I don't have many options."

Cech: Give Benitez a chance

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has urged Blues supporters to give new manager Rafael Benitez the chance to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.



The Spaniard was given a hostile reception in his first game in interim charge in Sunday's goalless draw with defending Premier League champions Manchester City as the home faithful protested against the appointment.



Benitez has succeeded Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked despite winning the Champions League and FA Cup last season.



The former Liverpool boss' past rivalry with Chelsea has damaged his popularity in London but Cech wants a united front.



The goalkeeper told Sky Sports: "Unfortunately you can't change history. We had a lot of rivalry against Liverpool but he (Benitez) is here to try to change things, put us in a winning mode, and he needs to get a chance to prove he deserves the chance."



Cech also regrets the sacking of Di Matteo after the Italian paid the price for just two wins in eight games in all competitions.



He said: "It's always bad news as a player, because you are responsible if you don't do well. Unfortunately you can't change the whole team and the manager is the first to go.



"Today (Sunday) was about starting from zero again and getting a positive result.



"You need some time when you change the manager to get a positive result and mood and 0-0 against the champions is not a bad result."

Benítez: Lampard and Cole are on their way out

Rafael Benitez has revealed he expects Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole to leave Chelsea in the summer.



Benitez has signed a short-term contract at Stamford Bridge and has adopted a squad that boasts several players with uncertain futures.



Both Cole and Lampard are yet to clarify what their careers hold when their contracts expire, with Cole so far only offered a one-year deal. Lampard has not received a fresh offer and has been linked with moves to China or the US.



Asked if he believes the players, both Champions League winners, will leave in the summer, Benitez said in the Guardian: "I think so.



"I don't have all the information and it's not fair to tell me I'm only here for seven months and then expect me to have an influence at the club over the next two or three years, but I think that's the case at the moment."



Benitez claims he does not enjoy mind games, but that did not stop him taking part in them during his first Friday press conference as he placed Arsene Wenger ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson as a manager.



On his first full day in the Chelsea job, the Spaniard was greeted with a typical barb from his old sparring partner Ferguson, who claimed he was "lucky" to be in a position to win a second Club World Cup.



Benitez, however, responded by talking about how he ranked Wenger above the Manchester United manager when he first came to England, and that any such comments were only in reply to other managers "pushing him".



"No, I don't enjoy that [mind games]. I enjoy my team playing well and winning games. I have to defend my team, my club, so I cannot wait while they push and push," Benitez said.



"You're playing to win trophies, and only one can win it. Some managers in the middle of the table can be friendly, but only one wins it. People try to win in different ways. I like to respect people, but sometimes I cannot because they push you...



"There are a lot of good managers in the world, many who have won trophies. I don't like to talk about other managers.



"When I came to England I knew the other managers. Arsene Wenger was the best manager who had been here for a while. But I cannot talk about these things every day."

Zenden set to be named Benitez assistant

Boudewijn Zenden will be appointed assistant to Rafael Benitez at Chelsea, the former Blues player's father has said.



Pierre Zenden told Voetbal International his son had been approached by Benitez to join him at Stamford Bridge.



He said he was on his to London to be reunited with a coach for whom he played at Liverpool, adding: "He was approached on Wednesday by Benitez and is now on a flight.



"Since yesterday, he phoned Benitez many times. I assume that he will be on the pitch this afternoon, together with the manager. I assume he will finish the season, just like Benitez."



Zenden, who played 42 league games for Chelsea between 2001 and 2004, returns to Stamford Bridge with much to prove in what will be his first coaching appointment since he retired from playing last year.



Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Benitez's six-month contract at Chelsea has the option for a one-year extension that could be activated next summer.



There have also been reports that the club may retain his services even if he does not continue as first-team coach next season.



Chelsea officials are believed to be keen to appoint an "experienced football figure" in a sporting director role, and Benitez could fit that bill in a restructured hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea appoint Benitez

Chelsea have announced they have appointed Rafa Benitez as their new manager until the end of the season.



The London club moved quickly to appoint the former Liverpool manager after the ruthless sacking of Roberto Di Matteo following their 3-0 defeat to Juventus in Turin on Tuesday night which left the European Champions’ hopes of progressing to this season’s knockout stages hanging by a thread.



A Chelsea statement released after 7.00pm read: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm Rafael Benitez has been appointed interim first-team manager until the end of the season.



“The owner and the Board believe that in Benitez we have a manager with significant experience at the highest level of football, who can come in and immediately help deliver our objectives.”



Di Matteo was removed from his post during the middle of the night bringing an end to his seven-month reign despite leading the Blues to the FA Cup and a first-ever Champions League triumph in May.



Benitez’s appointment is not believed to be a popular one with the Chelsea supporters, having clashed with the club on numerous occasions during his time in charge of Liverpool.



Also how his style of defensive football will deliver owner Roman Abramovich’s quest for beautiful football that also wins trophies is unclear.

Rafa interested in Chelsea job

Rafa Benitez has admitted that Chelsea 'fall in the category' of clubs he would be interested in managing after Roberto di Matteo's sacking.



Benitez - in Abu Dhabi to talk at a coaching seminar - did not confirm or deny whether there had been any contact with the Stamford Bridge club.



The Spaniard is being heavily linked with a return to the Premier League with Chelsea, with bookmakers making him odds-on favourite.



"Obviously it is a top side and they can compete for trophies so it falls in this category," Benitez told The National. "What I will say is that I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies so Chelsea is one of these clubs.



"The reason [I have not coached for nearly two years] is that you are looking for a top side that can challenge for trophies, because there are not too many top sides that can challenge so I had to wait."



Benitez is known to have spoken to Chelsea in the summer but backed away as they were only willing to offer a one-year term, with Pep Guardiola - currently on a sabbatical - tipped to take charge.



Before news of Di Matteo's sacking broke on Wednesday, Benitez had said that his "next challenge was close".

Sampdoria and Benitez talks fail

Sampdoria's bid to appoint Rafael Benitez as manager has failed after negotiations broke down today.



The newly-promoted Serie A club revealed talks had ended "with mutual regret" after meeting with the former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss in London this week.



"Following discussions held recently in London and subsequent contacts between UC Sampdoria and Mr Rafael Benitez, with mutual regret, the club and the Spanish manager agreed that the time for collaboration was not right," a statement on the club's website read.



Owner Riccardo Garrone revealed earlier this week that he had been chasing Benitez, out of work since leaving Inter in December 2010, despite coach Giuseppe Iachini still having a year to run on his deal.



Iachini took over the Genoa outfit last November and led the team to promotion to Serie A via the play-offs last month.