As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Benitez: I leave Chelsea in better shape than when I arrived

Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez is proud of his work at the club.

Benitez oversaw Chelsea's Europa League triumph last night and has all but secured Champions League qualification.

Asked whether he believed Sunday's game against Everton will see some reconciliation between himself and the supporters he said: "There are those who shout the loudest and who you hear the most but there are also a lot of people (who support me).

"I have a web page where I am constantly receiving messages and where Chelsea supporters are saying we support you and we appreciate what you are doing.

"The Chelsea fans who able to analyze the situation properly see that. But if there is someone who does not want to accept you then all you can do is go on reaching your objectives.

"I knew it would be difficult having been successful with Liverpool against the best Chelsea side - that is a reality but we had a clear objective to make the top four and if we could win a trophy as well.

"We made two semi-finals and won this one with a young team - the team has had to cope with (Didier) Drogba, (Salomon) Kalou (Michael) Essien, (Raul) Meireles and (Florent) Malouda leaving and with the replacements Victor Moses, Mario Marin, Hazard and Oscar all quality players but young players who in a lot of cases don't have a great deal of experience but the team has kept producing."

Video of the day:

About the author

Tribal Football Staff

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free