Source: Team_Talk
Blues challenge excites Benayoun
Chelsea's Yossi Benayoun is ready for the challenge of breaking into a team which won the Premier League and FA Cup double last season. [LNB] After three years with Liverpool, the Israel international finally quit Merseyside when he joined the Blues in a £5million move in July.[LNB]A niggling groin injury halted his progress in pre-season but Benayoun is determined to make an impact for Carlo Ancelotti's side as the Blues look to defend their domestic titles.[LNB]"There are a lot of good players, big players, for me it is the beginning and I have to work hard and prove I can bring something to this club," said Benayoun.[LNB]"The only thing I can promise is I will work hard and do my best, and hopefully it will be good enough.[LNB]"I had offers from a few teams but when Chelsea came in for me it was the obvious and only thing to think about, and I am glad it came out in the end."[LNB]Benayoun made his last appearance for Liverpool against the Blues on May 2, when Chelsea took a giant step towards the league title with a 2-0 win.[LNB]"The last home game I knew it would be my last for Liverpool, I tried to do my best but Chelsea were strong," added Benayoun.[LNB]"All the years here in England, five years, Chelsea were always a difficult side to play against with big players and that's why they are always there at the top fighting for trophies. That's why I am glad to be a part of it now."[LNB]Benayoun's pedigree is second to none. As a talented youngster in Israel, he was asked to join the Ajax academy at just 15.[LNB]He began his senior career two years later with Hapoel Beer-Sheva before moving on to Maccabi Haifa in 1998.[LNB]After completing national service he left Maccabi having scored 55 goals in 130 appearances and joined Racing Santander in Spain in 2002.[LNB]But his goalscoring exploits soon brought him to the attention of English clubs and West Ham snapped him up for £2.5million three years later.[LNB]He helped the Hammers to finish ninth in the Premier League and reach the 2006 FA Cup final under then manager Alan Pardew.[LNB]He played one more season at Upton Park before making a £5million move to Anfield in 2007 where he replaced Luis Garcia, who moved back to Spain as part of the transfer deal that saw Fernando Torres join Liverpool.[LNB]His time at Liverpool was spent in and out of the side with Rafael Benitez never really appearing to treat him as a regular first-team player.[LNB]Last season he started 29 games and scored nine goals including a late one against Atletico Madrid at Anfield that looked to have put Liverpool into the Europa League final before Diego Forlan's last-gasp strike ended that dream.[LNB]Captain of the Israel national side, Benayoun has quickly felt at home after making the move back to London.[LNB]"It is a great training ground and you can see it is one of the best clubs in the world from the way the people here treat you," added Benayoun.[LNB]"It is a good challenge for me and I am ready for it."[LNB]Coach Ancelotti admitted that much of Benayoun's appeal lay in his versatility. The midfielder is equally at home on either wing and his trickery will cause plenty of problems for opposing defences.[LNB]"Yossi has a lot of quality in midfield and can play in lots of positions. I like his behaviour on the pitch," said Ancelotti.[LNB]"He will do a great job."
