Benitez remains professional ahead of Anfield assignment

In recent years, Liverpool always raised their game against us even though they were damned to a mid table finish. Liverpool has only lost two of their last 12 league meetings although Chelsea are unbeaten in the last 5 encounters with 4 wins and a draw. In 33 meetings in various competitions in the last eight seasons Chelsea won 13 of those games and Liverpool 12. Suarez needs one more goal to become the first Liverpool player score 30 goals in a season in all competitions since Torres in 2007-08.
Chelsea travels to Liverpool tomorrow to perhaps, considering current circumstances, validate their top 4 position. Benitez will certainly change his side once again from the mid-week squad that played against Fulham. Changes that will be prevalent would be to rest players and not necessarily an edited formation as surely Ba and Torres upfront would keep the beleaguered Liverpool defence busy. Benitez, manager of Liverpool from 2004 to 2010, insists that he is a professional and will do his best on beating his former employers.

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The most important goal scored by Chelsea

This was a rare goal scored by Marcel Desailly on Sunday 11 May 2003 against Liverpool. It was the goal that earned Chelsea a place in the Champions League and a subsequent cash boost. The match was so important that the chief executive, Trevor Birch delivered a spirited speech before the game. At the time Birch was seeking new investors and two months later Roman Abramovich saw enough potential in Chelsea to buy the club. On Thursday 26 June 2003 intense discussions pursued with Roman Abramovich and by Tuesday 1 July the deal to buy the club was made. Abramovich’s team conducted the assessment of the club and soon discovered that the available players could challenge the best in the league. All he needed was a world class manager –
“I think it meant everything to the club to win that game. Who knows whether Mr Abramovich would have been as interested if we hadn’t have been in Europe? I said that there are only a few times that your character is really tested, this is one of them. This could be the difference between staying at the top table of football or drifting into oblivion. Now is the time for you boys to step forward and prove your worth.”
Trevor Birch, chief executive (2005)


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Benitez weary of December result

Squad rotation will be expected during the busy season as Chelsea will have four more games to play in nine days. West ham might not be a straight forward result today though as back in early December, the first away game for Benitez, Chelsea suffered a demoralizing defeat having led at the interval.
Benitez seems assured that the squad has grown more familiar with each other and the new players have gained valuable experience in the league thus far. The improved sharpness in front of goal evident in the last few outings will greatly help our cause. Although what the team really needs is the usual grit and determination – from the fans as well.
http://www.bubblews.com/news/322651-benitez-weary-of-december-result

Chelsea vs West Ham: Pre-match briefing

Chelsea have played 20 games more than West ham this season and prior to the most recent history had lost five in a row away from home. Tomorrow’s game is a must win situation as the three points could prove vital for a top four finish. It could be a tricky assignment for Benitez who will have to overcome physical and mental fatigue pestering the squad during this busy period. Chelsea is currently two points behind their neighbours Spurs, who have now become a mild irritation, with a game in hand and five ahead of Arsenal in fifth.
The victory over Steaua earlier the week included Chelsea’s 300th goal in UEFA matches, excluding the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, a tournament outside the organization’s jurisdiction, scored by Juan Mata. His impressive stats now read as 18 goals this season and 30th overall.

David Luiz maintains positive attitude during busy period

Chelsea’s progression into the Europa league quarter finals means that the club could play another energy sapping 18 games this season. In fact, it is a new club record as the minimum amount of games is 66. David Luiz expressed his confidence that the club can cope with this demanding schedule which commences tomorrow in a League game against Allardyce’s West Ham.
Chelsea will be facing a team rested since March 2 and have played just four times since the beginning of February whereas the Blues have played 11 during the same period. Luiz wishes, however, to end this week with a great result on Sunday.
Considering squad limitations such as fatigue and amount of players available to Benitez he wants to stay on the pitch for his beloved Chelsea. With the international break ahead, Luiz will be facing Italy in Geneva and returning to Stamford Bridge as Brazil meet Russia. Good Luck!