Rafa Benítez Highlights before Chelsea

Here are some comments about the Chelsea game made by Rafa in the press conference today

11/01/2019Various Media


Imagen

  • CHRONICLE LIVE

"Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett are not available, which is a negative. But Clark and Fernandez are available, which is a positive. Lejeune is fine too, but we have to assess a few other players too. Darlow is not available either. Kenedy is ineligible, too".

"After some important games, people can be disappointed, but other PL teams have struggled recently too. The mood was quite negative after the FACup game, but we know it’s not easy. We have to keep training as we do, change quickly and be ready for a tough game".

"I am not [downbeaten] at the moment. It’s a big city and a big club. But when we stick together and are united we are better. The reality is that we have to stick together until the end. We have to carry on fighting, we will have problems, but we will do it".

"I will not talk about the transfer window, I will not talk about names & I will not talk about the takeover. We are wasting energy on these things, but we need to focus on the game. I could say it’s a difficult window like other managers , but I prefer not to".

"We have what we have, and we are where we are. We cannot analyse individual substitutions, decisions and everything all the time. If we do not have enough, we’ll try to do something more. No it’s not an ideal situation but the majority of fans understand the situation".

"We know Chelsea are a very good team. They are playing with a high intensity and Spurs struggled versus them the other day. The top 6 are miles ahead of the other. In one game anything can happen, but the reality is the money they have spent means they are miles away".

"We have to do what we did up here, when everyone spoke about the tactics, and try to be compact and stay in the game. We have to have balance between attack and defence. Just because you defend well doesn’t mean you are only defensive".

  • THE MAG

“Sometimes, you have a bad moment, but the next game is another opportunity and we have to be ready for it. We were very close in our last game (to getting something) here (in August). We have to make sure we stay in the game and if they make mistakes, we have to punish them".

  • SKY SPORTS

"The mood is fine (in the dressing room). Yes we are disappointed to lose but they recover quickly. The reality is we are in a very difficult division and it is hard. Last year in January we were in a difficult position, then we started winning. It will be close to the end."