Should Rafael Benitez be the next Chelsea Manager?

21 November 2012 10:25

With the recent sacking of Roberto Di Matteo, the bookies have already lined up replacements for the Italian. Rafael Benitez is just one of the names mentioned for the Chelsea hot-seat, and I think the Spaniard is the ideal candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge.

Having been heavily linked for the job prior to the appointment of Di Matteo, it is no surprise that Benitez has once again, been linked with the Blues. Currently 4/5 with Betway  to join Chelsea – Benitez is a hot favourite to become the next manager of Chelsea Football Club.

Throughout his tenure at Liverpool, Benitez deployed the 4-2-3-1 formation – which at the time – Premiership sides had no answer to. The formation is used a lot in the Premier League today due its beneficial approach to attacking and defending. With this formation, teams will always have a minimum of six defending, five in midfield and 4 attacking. The formation allows players to dominate possession and is lethal to use on the counter attack. With the pace, skill and direct approach that Chelsea have in their squad, it is no surprise that Di Matteo tried to format his team around the idea.

Now on the brink of Champions League elimination, Chelsea have to fight for the three domestic titles they can. Currently third in the Premier League, and in the Capital One Cup quarter finals – it is definitely an attractive proposition for Benitez who won it all at Liverpool, apart from the Premier League trophy its self. Benitez will no doubt be installed to win all three possible trophies in what would no doubt be a successful treble, even in the eyes of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

A key element to the appointment of Benitez is the fact that he knows how to win trophies in England. Something that, AVB, Di Matteo and even the great Pep Guardiola do not know how. I'm not doubting Pep Guardiola's ability as a manager, but with that type of squad, wasn't success guaranteed? Benitez will install into the Chelsea players a winning mentality that only he earned himself in that famous comeback in the 04/05 Champions League Final.

Another key element to the appointment of Benitez is the idea of bringing out the best of Fernando Torres. Benitez signed Torres from his time at Liverpool. Under the wing of Benitez, Torres was able to flourish in the Premier League. Scoring 24 league goals in his first campaign – Benitez will know how to get the best out of, at the moment, the £50million problem. El Nino just needs to be loved. The Liverpool fans adored him at Anfield, and due to his lack of goal scoring – quite rightly the Chelsea fans have not responded to him similarly.

Not only is Benitez an astute manager, he also has great knowledge on the transfer window. With such signings like - Torres, Alonso, Mascherano, Agger and Reina, Abramovich will be confident that no more of his millions will be wasted on such signings like Shevchenko, Mutu, Zhirkov and Benayoun. 

Benitez had a torrid 6 month spell at Inter Milan after Liverpool and will be keen to prove any doubters wrong. He has left a legacy at Anfield, he will look to do the same at Stamford Bridge.

Should Chelsea appoint Rafael Benitez as their next manager?

Or wait for Pep Guardiola to become available?

Leave me a comment below and let me know!

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Source: DSG