Cautious Benitez cools title talk

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez is wary of talking up his side’s title chances but will not rule out the prospect of making a sustained challenge.

While the Spaniard is still struggling to be accepted by the Stamford Bridge faithful because of his Liverpool connections, he claims the players are enjoying working for him. And he has noticed a shift in belief which he thinks makes them a different prospect to the side he took over when Roberto Di Matteo was controversially sacked in November.

“The team has more confidence and belief that we can do things,” he said.

“They had the belief but they believe more if they win as they have more confidence. The first games were quite difficult against Manchester City and Fulham because we didn’t have time [to make changes].

“After, little by little, you can see they enjoy the movement, the positions, the things we are trying to do and they are playing better football. I think we can move forward with another good result and confidence will grow more.”

Asked if he had an idea how close he would need to be to leaders Manchester United at a certain date to genuinely challenge for the title, Benitez added: “I don’t like to think about this. I like to think about the next game and three points.

“It is important to give the players this mentality. My job is to think about the next three or four or five games and if I have to adjust something I will do it.

“But the players just have to think ‘This is my game, I have to give 100% to win this game’. Because we are playing so well they were thinking ‘okay, we can play nice football’ but against Norwich [a 1-0 St Stephen’s Day win] it was tough but they put in a professional performance as a team. That is good.”

Chelsea have already held “unproductive talks” with Newcastle striker Demba Ba’s representatives but Benitez is keen to bring in more support for Fernando Torres.

“You can always improve things, especially when you have injuries, and we lose two players to the African Nations Cup,” said the Chelsea boss.

“Obviously we need bodies but I am really pleased with the squad, they train well, the commitment is there and they are keen to learn.

“We are trying to manage the team so when I can change Fernando I will do it. We will try to manage him and hopefully we can do things properly.

“He wants the team winning games and he understands that is the way so he will accept this. When I talked about rotation some people could not understand what it means.

“Now, little by little, you can see teams changing.

“Every player wants to play every game but I think they understand now if we want to achieve something important we have to use the squad, so they know that is the way.”

Nigeria midfielder Jon Obi Mikel was left out of the squad for the victory at Goodison Park because of a problem with his knee, but Benitez admitted they might ask the Nigerian Football Federation to delay the call-ups of Mikel and Victor Moses.

“Maybe we will talk with Nigeria and see what they think,” he said.

“I have not been in direct contact with them but we have some people who are talking with them. We know the rules so we have to follow them.”