Cesar Azpilicueta has described how the influence of Rafa Benitez has helped him become a first team regular for Chelsea this season.

"Rafa did a good job here. He gave me a lot of confidence. He tried to do his best with the team.

"It is normal to have some problems when you come to a new country - although in the first months, when I wasn't playing, I learned a lot on the bench, seeing my team-mates, the manager, the things in England that are different.

"Then, I started playing in the last month with Robbie (Di Matteo) but afterwards, when Rafa came, I learned a lot of things.

"He taught me about positioning, tactics, reading the game, the best way to do the right things. Then I played my first game with the national team this year, so this is important for me."


Chelsea's season which is now 45 games since Benitez's arrival at the end of November - has been, as Azpilicueta conceded, "crazy".

Azpilicueta added: "Playing for Chelsea you have the responsibility to win every game.

"Physically and mentally, it is difficult, because every three days you have a massive game. We are fighting for every trophy.

"It's the first time I have played a lot of games like this. This season I started to play in November and after that it is every three days.

"It feels like we've been playing finals for four or five months now. Every week we have a massive game, in the FA Cup, Capital One Cup, Premier League, Europa League."