Stamford Bridge

Next Game

Chelsea v Everton

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Last Game

Benfica 1 - 2 Chelsea

Wednesday, 15 May 2013, 19:45

Europa League Final

Benitez blames lack of depth

Rafael Benitez blames Chelsea's lack of depth for their poor form and trophy failures this season.

Last Updated: 27/01/13 at 11:18 Post Comment

Rafael Benitez: Blames Chelsea's lack of depth for their trophy failures thi

Rafael Benitez: Blames Chelsea's lack of depth for their trophy failures thi

Manager Specials

So who will replace David Moyes as manager of Everton after his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United? Wigan's Robert Martinez heads the betting. Check out the latest odds

The interim Blues boss has been widely criticised for his tactics and team selections, and was dealt a further blow on Wednesday when his side exited the Capital One Cup after a semi-final defeat to Swansea.

The European champions have already relinquished five pieces of silverware, and with only two left to play for, their FA Cup fourth round tie with Brentford on Sunday is top of Benitez's agenda.

Speaking of his team's lack of winning mentality, the Spaniard said: "If you analyse the squad, if you analyse new players, new situation...

"The players that were here in the past, some of them are not here.

"So you have new players, they have to settle down in the Premier League, settle down in England. So, things are different, totally different.

"The money that was spent before and was spent recently is different, and the other teams are also stronger, they are spending money.

"When you analyse the stats, you have to put in context or they don't have any value."

He added: "It's not just about winning trophies. It's a key part of the game but the way and the tools that you have to win these trophies, that is the key."

Despite the demise of their league title challenge, and failing to secure two easy trophies - the Club World Cup and League Cup- Benitez said the squad is improving.

"The team is scoring more goals, conceding less goals," he said.

"You can see that we have more balance but still we have some problems that we have to manage in these games.

"We have the styles or the characteristics of our players, for playing in a way that you have to manage.

"Some games you cannot and you have to change, and we don't have the other options.

"It's a style of football that we have to create with the players that we have, so we have to carry on.

"We cannot play long balls and try to win second balls like other teams. We have players that they have quality and we have to try to play this style of football."

TEAMtalk Facebook Fan Page

The TEAMtalk fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

T

hat is arguably the least inspiring England I have ever seen. There is not a single name in that list that makes me think I might actually want to watch this team. Not a one.

harry hotspur
Carroll back in England squad

Footer 365

Wenger optimistic for next season

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels his squad can hit the ground running at the start of the next season.

Premier League: Newcastle owner Mike Ashley offers £1m incentive for victory over Arsenal

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will share out £1m between the club's non-football staff if they beat Arsenal on Sunday.

Emotional Beckham says goodbye

David Beckham was in tears as he left the pitch after playing what could be the final game of his career as Paris Saint-Germain beat Brest 3-1.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved