Cech and Cahill lead the call for support of manager Rafael Benitez.
Chelsea players Gary Cahill and Petr Cech have said that interim manager Rafael Benitez deserves more credit, after the Spaniard led the club to Europa League success.
Following the Blues’ 1-2 victory over Benfica in the final on Wednesday, Cahill and Cech led the messages of support from the players to the boss who has been unpopular with the fans ever since he was appointed.
“We’re better off in our league position as it stands and we have just won a trophy,” the centre-back was quoted on BBC Sport.
“You have got to give him credit for what he has done,”
As well as leading Chelsea to European glory the former Liverpool manager has secured the club Champions League football for next season – bar a mathematical improbability on the last day of the season, with a 16-goal swing in favour of Tottenham the only thing that could deny the Blues.
Yet despite this relative success for Benitez since his appointment as Roberto Di Matteo’s temporary successor in November last year, the fans have been demanding his removal since day one.
Goalkeeper Cech has joined his teammate in praising the 53-year-old and believes he has achieved what he was asked to do.
“Ever since he came, we said we had to improve,” said the ‘keeper.
“He wanted to try and win a trophy and we’ve done that.”
Branislav Ivanovic scored the winner for Chelsea in extra-time against the Portuguese team in the final, after Fernando Torres’ opener was cancelled out by an Oscar Cardozo penalty.
Until the 25 May – when Bayern Muncih face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final – the Blues are technically the holders of both European cups, after the side beat Munich in the final of the Champions League last season.
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