Chelsea Players hit back at Benitez for slating the squad for limp display in Manchester City defeat

One should not be too much critical, knowing that one is the least liked person around.

Since Rafael Benitez has taken over as the Chelsea interim manager, he is fighting a 'recognition' battle both with the players and the Chelsea fans.

And Monday's 'admonishment' cost Rafa dearly when he tried to throw the blame of 2-0 defeat by Manchester City over the shell-shocked Chelseaplayers.

And this is what happened when Spaniard told his players that their attitude had cost a series of managers the sack, then lectured them on their failure to grasp tactics and a lack of effort. A furious Benitez also accused the squad of under-performing since he replaced Roberto Di Matteo in November.

But Benitez was stunned when one senior player suggested he might be at fault, given the club's success in winning the European Cup last May. 'We won the European Cup with this team,' the player said.

Benitez is trying to prepare the players for Wednesday's FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough, but he is now facing a battle to keep them onside.

How would be the affairs in days to come, one can simply guess, specially when the Blues are trying to move up the points table.

Read more about it at: Mail Online 

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Roayls tame the Blues with a 2-2 draw

Adam Le Fondre's goals salvaged his team from a losing 0-2 state to a much comfortable 2-2 draw

You can very well imagine the plight of Chelsea's interim manager Benitez who saw his team winning against Reading 2-0, and then at the ended up with a frustrating 2-2 draw when the final whistle was blown.

"It's difficult to explain how we drew this game," said Benitez.

"We did everything to win the game. For 85 minutes we controlled everything and created enough chances to score four or five goals. It is difficult to take."

Third-placed Chelsea looked set to clinch their fifth successive top-flight away win after goals from Juan Mata and Frank Lampard put them firmly in control.

But the Royals turned the tide of the match into their favour as Royals substitute Adam Le Fondre's goals salvaged his team from a losing 0-2 state to a much comfortable 2-2 draw.

Reading boss Brian McDermott praised Le Fondre's goal scoring instincts after the 26-year-old stepped off the bench for the third successive Premier League match to earn precious points in his side's battle against relegation.

"If you have got Adam Le Fondre at your club you have always got a chance," said McDermott.

via BBC Sport / Football

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Benitez says he would happily hand over to Pep Guardiola

The not much liked interim Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez speaks out about his tenure end with the Blues and says he would happily hand over the job of managing Chelsea to Pep Guardiola at the end of the season - as long as he has helped the club win trophies before then.

It seems Benitez wants a long term arrangement with Chelsea - but Blues have other plans

Benitez who took over from Roberto Di Matteo in November a s an interim manger before Chelsea could finalize a permanent manager to head Chelsea.

As for Pep Guardiola, it is generally the impression that Blue guys like the former Barcelona boss.

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So far, the ex-Liverpool Benitez has not drawn the respect either fro the players or from the fans. But despite that he vies for a permamant arrangement with one of the best football clubs of the football world - a dream seemingly not possible to come true as already talks of hiring Pep Guardiola are there in the air. However, Benitez, who had a hostile reception since taking over at Stamford Bridge, still believes he can win over fans.

"Everybody is talking about Guardiola - Guardiola this, Guardiola that - but Guardiola is just one man, he can go to just one club," said Benitez, who was speaking in Japan ahead of Sunday's Club World Cup final against Brazilian side Corinthians.

Read more about it at: BBC Sport/Football

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