No last minute transfer fund for Rafa

Rafael Benitez today admitted he did not think Chelsea would give him any more money to spend before the transfer window closes.

Interim Blues boss Benitez confirmed last week he had told owner Roman Abramovich that his squad was not strong enough to cope with the unprecedented fixture pile-up facing them this season.

But he appears to have given up hope of being allowed to add to the January signing of Demba Ba before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Asked if he anticipated any movement in the final 48 hours of the window, he said: “I don’t think so but my job is to improve my squad and manage the situation we have.”