Rafa Watch

[Chazza]

Got to love a stat that will get everyone talking..

Again

[Arn]

I can't understand why Rafa is taking jobs at clubs filled with Mourinho lovers.

The main problem IMO is that he isn't in charge in the dressing room. Everyone know that he is out in the summer so why listen to him.

The top dogs in the dressing room is Lampard and Terry. If Rafa say one thing and Terry/Lampard or both another then it isn't a wild guess who get the last word.

Mourinho will be back and Lampard will get his new deal. This is a war Roman can't win. This is a war Rafa can't win.

[-V-]

They signed Demba Ba 7 weeks ago. Since then Rafa has not played Ba and Torres together even once. He just doesn't know how to

[Fredo]

Can we change the thread title to "Rafa - Chelsea manger" now please?

[Tee]

Can we change the thread title to "Rafa - Chelsea manger" now please?

No problem.

[fah-q]

Ba and Torres up front looks like an Eminem and MF DOOM tribute act.

[Shaggy]

Rafa has also had less time than Rodgers.

Your meant to give new managers that are trying to implement a new philosophy time, no?

Heh

[Arn]

EXCLUSIVE: Rafa in bust-up with Chelsea squad at training ground as captain Terry sticks up for under-fire players

Rafa Benitez was involved in a training ground bust-up with Chelsea's shell-shocked squad on Monday.

Less than 24 hours after they were beaten 2-0 by champions Manchester City, the Spaniard told his players their attitude had cost a series of managers the sack, then lectured them on their failure to grasp tactics and a lack of effort.

But interim manager 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. A furious Benitez also accused the squad of under-performing since he replaced Roberto Di Matteo in November.

Sportsmail understands captain John Terry, who has been overlooked since recovering from injury, then made a passionate case on behalf of the players, even though he wasn't even on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium.

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.

Chelsea failed to win the FIFA Club World Cup in December and were then beaten over two legs in the Capital One Cup semi-final by eventual winners Swansea.

They are only two points clear of fifth-place Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League and face a tough trip to the Riverside for tomorrow's fifth-round tie.

It's understood that he began a pre-training discussion with the player by calling them into a huddle at their base in Cobham, Surrey.

After picking up on a comment made by skipper Terry in the dressing room following their defeat at City, Benitez attempted to single him out. Terry defended himself and reminded the Spaniard that senior players have spoken to him about his managerial methods since he arrived after Chelsea's shambolic loss in the Champions League against Juventus.

A discussion that began with the best of intentions then descended into a heated discussion between the players and the interim boss.

One player reminded Benitez that, in addition to the Champions League, this Chelsea squad also won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

On Monday night sources at the club played down the nature of the exchange and maintained that it did not have an impact on the quality of the training session that followed.

Benitez has held several discussions with Chelsea's players about the training at the club since he replaced Di Matteo.

He knows he will be replaced in the summer. Chelsea are already casting around for a replacement.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...ty-defeat.html

[-V-]

Clearly a Chelsea player is briefing the story to the Mail. Wonder which one wants him out most

[RedReet]

Sabotage their chances of a top 4 finish Rafa, ie. play Torres for the rest of the season.

**** the cunts.

[Norbs]

^

and in general

[Lee]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21590700

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has played down reports of a training ground bust-up with his squad following the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Reports suggest Benitez, 52, was involved in a heated exchange with his players before the FA Cup fifth round tie at Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

But Benitez said: "This was a normal meeting between players and technical staff, which happens after every game.

"It was normal talk. You show your disappointment, that is normal."

Chelsea captain John Terry, who earlier this season denied there was a rift between him and Benitez, is reported to have led the response of the players.

"I can understand the frustrations of Terry, he is an important player for us and has been injured with his knee," said Benitez, who was appointed in November 2012 following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo.

"It was very brief exchange of ideas, and that is it, nothing else. It is just a team talk after a defeat.

"We had a meeting on the pitch with my players and technical staff, which is part of our business.

"Now we have to move on and start thinking about Middlesbrough."

Chelsea have gained just four points from their last four Premier League games and dropped to fourth place in the top flight.

Asked about his relationship with the Chelsea players, Benitez said: "It is fantastic. I have no problem."

[Chazza]

Caroline Cheese @CarolineCheese
Benitez finally snapped on 5 Live just now. Worth a listen. Had a go at some fans for barracking him instead of backing team #cfc

Caroline Cheese @CarolineCheese
Benitez: "I will leave at the end of the season. They don't need to worry about me" #cfc

[dom9]

Oh dear.

[spud_gun]

He didn't snap. Simply told it as it is. Fact!